Authorities questioned a Borei Keila resident on Tuesday for her role in a protest outside the home of developer Suy Sophan, who filed a complaint against her earlier in March.
Borei Keila resident Phork Sophin said that she may be charged with defamation and the destruction of personal property.
Sophin is one of hundreds of residents affected in a long-running land dispute with Sophan’s company, Phanimex, whose large-scale development forced them from their homes. The company pledged to build 10 apartment buildings for displaced residents but ended up only constructing eight, leaving some families in limbo.
Sophin and other residents gathered multiple times at Sophan’s house in February to demand compensation, and at one point banged on the gate after security guards confiscated their belongings.
“She cleared the houses and grabbed our land without providing solutions, but when I protest, they accuse us of ruining her reputation instead. Where is the justice?” she asked. “The poor like us cannot get justice? Who offers justice to us?”
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Sok Khemrin, head of the Ministry of Interior’s Crime Department, where Sophin was questioned, said officials had asked about the protest last month, but neither detained nor charged her.
“I don’t know what she is accused of because I have not questioned her, but . . . if there is an arrest, the officials will call to ask for opinion from me,” he said, declining to comment further.
Sophan declined to comment.
