Seventeen human rights monitors, journalists and protesters were arrested in Koh Kong province yesterday morning when police and alleged “instigators” cracked down on a peaceful demonstration calling for the release of three imprisoned environmental activists.
The group was held at the provincial police station for about eight hours, where they were interrogated about their “involvement” in the protest before eventually being released at 6:15pm.
Speaking from the police station, In Kongchit, a provincial coordinator for rights group Licadho who was among those arrested, said he had been questioned about the purpose of the protest and who was leading it.
In the morning, about 100 people from Chi Khor Krom commune had gathered outside of Koh Kong Provincial Court to call for a solution to a land dispute they are engaged in, and for the release of three activists arrested last month over their activities against Direct Access – a Vietnamese company accused of illegally dredging a local estuary.
Yesterday’s action was the latest in a string of demonstrations to have taken place outside of the court since the three activists – who are affiliated with environmental NGO Mother Nature – were arrested two weeks ago.
Kongchit said things proceeded calmly until a second group of “protesters” arrived demanding that the activists return home, and attempting to forcefully break up the gathering.
“In fact, that group was supported by the authorities to disperse the protesters,” he said.
Environmental activist Ven Vorn, who was also arrested yesterday, said the “instigators” had been planted by authorities “to separate us and stop the protest”.
Security forces cracked down on the demonstration, dispersing the crowd in what several witnesses termed “violent” fashion, and arresting those participating in the protest and observing it – including rights monitors, a medic and journalists.