Cambodia accuses journalist of incitement who exposed trafficking and scams

A Cambodian court on Tuesday charged an investigative journalist known for exposing corruption and human trafficking, and whose arrest sparked concern from human rights groups and the U.S. government, with “incitement to social unrest”, which means that he risks two years in prison.

In a statement, the municipal court in Phnom Penh, the country’s capital, said Mech Dara, who worked for local and international media, had published “provocative” and “false” messages and photos about a career as a rock on a sacred mountain.

He was sent to pre-trial detention in Kandal province, according to a joint statement by civil society organizations working in the country, which said the charges carried a maximum prison term of two years.