ADHOC Provincial Coordinator Threatened with Charges of Defamation Following Intervention in Gender-Based Violence Case
Phnom Penh, 13 February 2012 ― The Cambodian Human Rights and Development Association (ADHOC) is deeply concerned about potential defamation charges being brought against Soum Chankea, its Provincial Coordinator in Banteay Meanchey province. On 9 February 2012, Soum Chankea was summoned by Yin Sokuntheavy, Sisophon Sub-Prosecutor, following a complaint lodged by Oum Socheath, a CMAC (Cambodia Mine Action Centre) officer working in Banteay Meanchey province. The questioning will take place on 20 February 2012. The Prosecutor will then decide whether charges are officially brought against Soum Chankea. These include “slanderous denunciation,” an offense punishable by 1 month to 1 year in prison and a 100,000 to 2 million riels fine (article 311 of the Penal Code).Oum Socheath accuses Soum Chankea of defamation following ADHOC’s intervention in a gender-based violence case.
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