The Supreme Court yesterday upheld an appellate ruling that two people from Koh Kong faked their land certificates to live on the land of local tycoon Heng Huy, ordering Chun Rim, a 45-year-old woman, and Lim Phan, a 39-year-old man, to leave the property.

Chum Narin, land director at the Community Legal Education Centre, characterised the decision as “unfair”.

The case began in 2007 when the provincial court ruled in favour of Heng Huy for a prior land dispute in Chikor Leu commune.

The defendants, who live in neighbouring Chikor Krom, appealed the decision, saying authorities tasked with implementing the verdict illegally marked their land as part of Heng Huy’s property.

Keut Srey Pov, the wife of Lim Phan, said they had lived there since 1979. “We will continue protesting in front of the Supreme Court until we find a solution”, she said.

Heng Huy and his lawyer could not be reached.