Three villagers in Kampong Speu’s Phnom Sruoch district were issued a subpoena to appear in court on November 18 over allegations of incitement to commit violence against public servants following their participation in a land dispute protest last week.

According to the summons, Rem Phal Chanly, Kong Phirun and Meach Leanh Seng are due to be questioned before the provincial court following their protest against the Ouk Khun company.

Rem Chan Pahally, a fellow villager, claims the company seized hundreds of hectares of land, including 25 hectares belonging to her.

“We owned this land since 1999 and the authorities know it, [yet] they complained about us to the court,” Pahally said.

Another community member who wished to remain anonymous maintained Seng’s innocence and that the protest was peaceful. “We did not commit any violence as accused,” they said.

Treng Trayoeng commune chief Keo Sophat deferred to the courts, saying “we try to help them [the villagers] but this case is a court case”. Ouk Khun company representatives could not be reached.