In the morning of 19 August 2015, around 50 monks and other protesters gathered in front of the Phnom Penh Municipal Court, demanding the court to the drop the cases against two Khmer Kampuchear Krom monks, who were arrested in early this month, and to release them immediately.
Chea Vannda and Dao Tep, the two monks, were arrested on 01 August 2015, upon the police having found knives, drugs, female underwear and condoms in their room.
Chea Vannda was summoned to appear before the Investigating Judge of the Municipal Court of Phnom Penh this morning, whereas Dao Tep had already been questioned by him on 03 August 2015.
After having spent three days in Posenchey district police custody, the two monks had been imprisoned in Prey Sar Correctional Centre. Lawyers of local NGO, ADHOC, claim that any evidence, possibly connecting the monks to the allegations, is lacking.
Venerable Thach Ha Sam Ang, president of Khmer Kampuchea Krom Monk Association, condemned the arrest to be discriminatory. Kampuchea Krom monks are known to actively participate in social activities, anti-Vietnamese Embassy protests, and attend protests organized by the opposition Cambodian National Rescue Party in relation to the Cambodia-Vietnam border dispute.
