Police and local authorities in Kandal province’s Sa’ang district yesterday ordered a homeowner to take down a “justice calendar” bearing the image of jailed activist Mam Sonando, villagers said.

“They threatened me and told me to take it off. If not, they will detain me. They said that I must not support him because he is an offender in prison,” said Meng Sieng Hai, 44.

The calendar, a banner created by the Cambodian Centre for Human Rights, has spaces to tick off the number of days in jail for Sonando, convicted in October on widely derided charges of leading a secessionist movement.

Including Sonando’s pre-trial detention since July, Sieng Hai had ticked off more than 200 days. To avoid detention, Sieng Hai moved the calendar inside. Sa’ang district police chief Seng Socheat said police were not involved in the case. 

To contact the reporter on this story: Sen David at [email protected]