An activist from the Republican Democracy Party (RDP) – which contested last year’s national election – was detained on Saturday while handing out leaflets about the minor party’s political platform.

Khun Savakheth said Daun Penh district police questioned him for three hours after security guards detained him at Central Market and accompanied him to the station. He was released without charge.

“I tried distributing 200 copies of the party’s political platform but was immediately detained by market security,” he explained.

Pon Dany, who is in charge of Central Market, said that he had “invited” Savakheth to the police station because “it was not the right time” to distribute leaflets.

City Hall spokesman Long Dimanche said the contents contained information “attacking the monarchy, which is an illegal activity”.

Chan Yeth, acting RDP president, said Savakheth was only spreading information about the party’s policies.