Three journalists were sent to court in Kampot province on Monday after the Anti-Corruption Unit finished questioning them in Phnom Penh for allegedly extorting money from an unnamed deputy governor.

Meas Rithy, a news anchor for Hang Meas TV, said his reporter Sor Sunly was sent to court, but that he was unaware of any specific charges.

“They were sent to the court on Monday afternoon after they were arrested by the ACU and brought to Phnom Penh,” he said, adding that they have been accused of extorting $1,000 from the official.

The journalists – Sor Sunly, who also reports for Kampuchea Thmey, Tol Hok Ly, a reporter for TV 9, and Sok Sovann, who used to work for Apsara TV but is now employed as a construction worker, according to Rithy – were arrested on Friday in Kampot.

ACU head Om Yengtieng did not answer a request for comment.