Ratanakkiri

A commune chief in Trapaing Krahom commune in Ratanakkiri province has accused provincial judge Thor Saron of staging a land grab in a disputed forest area, where he is accused of erecting a fence around a disputed forest area. “It is clear that Judge Thor Saron ordered labourers to build fences to steal the forest land,” said Trapaing Krahom commune Chief Em Oeun. Cambodian Centre for Human Rights investigator Chhim Savudth said he met with a labourer on Wednesday who said that the judge had paid him to erect the fencing. “It is a violation of land law and forestry law,” Chhim Savudth said. The land had previously been set aside as concessions for 300 to 500 former military families, said Koun Mom district Governor Chheun Chankhieung. Thor Saron sparked controversy last month when he warned Adhoc rights activist Pen Bonnar to leave the province or face charges of defamation, incitement and terrorism.