Logo of Phnom Penh Post newspaper Phnom Penh Post - NGO appeals verdict in ‘defamation’ case

NGO appeals verdict in ‘defamation’ case

Equitable Cambodia’s Eang Vuthy visits a land dispute community in Phnom Penh in 2012.
Equitable Cambodia’s Eang Vuthy visits a land dispute community in Phnom Penh in 2012. Chhay Channyda

NGO appeals verdict in ‘defamation’ case

The Appeal Court on Friday heard a challenge from land rights NGO Equitable Cambodia (EC) to a defamation conviction following the termination of one of its staffers, Chan Vichet, with the prosecutor and presiding judge suggesting that there were no apparent grounds for the complaint.

Last year, Equitable Cambodia Executive Director Eang Vuthy and staffers Chheang Phea and Phen Kimsong were found guilty of public defamation by a Phnom Penh court over an internal memo circulated among the three regarding Vichet’s conduct.

Vichet worked for Equitable Cambodia and with local communities affected by land evictions related to ruling party Senator Ly Yong Phat’s firm, Phnom Penh Sugar Company, in Kampong Speu province. However, community members alleged that Vichet had switched over to working for the sugar company, leading to his dismissal from the NGO.

At Friday’s hearing, both presiding Judge Nhoung Thol and Prosecutor Nget Sarath said that public defamation was only possible if the EC staffers’ email was indeed public.

“There is no point to show that three accused committed public defamation, because a public defamation charge means that it defames someone in the public,” Sarath said.

“At the municipal court, the prosecutor also made the conclusion that there was no evidence against the accused,” Sarath added, referring to Phnom Penh court Prosecutor Seng Heang last year.

Kimsong and Vichet were absent from Friday’s hearing, with Judge Thol saying that the latter’s lawyer, Sao Bonat, was not representing Vichet in the Appeal Court.

EC’s Vuthy maintained that a warning letter and termination letter for Vichet had been kept confidential, saying it was the plaintiff himself who had gone public with the documents.

“Even though the dismissal letter we put in an envelope as well as warning letter in envelope. After we warned him, he then had a private meeting and also posted online,” he said before court.

Reached by phone yesterday, Vichet claimed that he had not received a summons for the hearing and alleged some sort of “arrangement” in the case.

“I did not receive the summons so all the decisions from the court is arranged, and there is an irregularity in this hearing,” he said, adding he would file a complaint with the Supreme Council of Magistracy and Anti-Corruption Unit.
A verdict is due January 12.

MOST VIEWED

  • Joy as Koh Ker Temple registered by UNESCO

    Cambodia's Koh Ker Temple archaeological site has been officially added to UNESCO’s World Heritage List, during the 45th session of the World Heritage Committee held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on September 17. The ancient temple, also known as Lingapura or Chok Gargyar, is located in

  • Ream base allegations must end, urges official

    A senior government official urges an end to the allegations and suspicions surrounding the development of Cambodia’s Ream Naval Base, now that Prime Minister Hun Manet has addressed the issue on the floor of the 78th UN General Assembly (UNGA 78). Jean-Francois Tain, a geopolitical

  • Cambodia set to celebrate Koh Ker UNESCO listing

    To celebrate the inscription of the Koh Ker archaeological site on UNESCO’s World Heritage List, the Ministry of Cults and Religion has appealed to pagodas and places of worship to celebrate the achievement by ringing bells, shaking rattles and banging gongs on September 20. Venerable

  • CP denied registration documents by ministry

    The Ministry of Interior will not reissue registration documents to the Candlelight Party (CP). Following a September 21 meeting between ministry secretary of state Bun Honn and CP representatives, the ministry cited the fact that there is no relevant law which would authorise it to do

  • Manet touches down in Beijing for high-level meetings

    Prime Minister Hun Manet arrived in Beijing on September 14 for his first official visit to China, where he is slated to attend the 20th China-ASEAN Expo and meet other leaders including Chinese President Xi Jinping. Upon his arrival, Manet laid a wreath at the Monument

  • Cambodian diaspora laud Manet’s UN Assembly visit

    Members of the Cambodian diaspora are rallying in support of Prime Minister Hun Manet’s forthcoming visit to the 78th UN General Assembly (UNGA 78) in the US’ New York City this week. Their move is an apparent response to a recent call by self-exiled former