Banteay Meanchey journalist arrested and charged following report on suspected scam

Hem Vanna, a journalist with HVNN TV Online in Banteay Meanchey province, was arbitrarily arrested by Poipet military police after reporting on a suspected online scamming compound and was subsequently charged with incitement.

On 4 February 2026, local rights groups ADHOC and LICADHO confirmed the arrest and reported that the journalist was being held in pre-trial detention on a charge of incitement to commit a felony under Article 495 and Intercepting or recording private conversation under Article 301 of the criminal code.

Another journalist and a friend of Vanna, told CamboJA on 3 February 2026 that the journalist was summoned to the Poipet military police earlier that day without being informed of the reason. He was later transferred to the Banteay Meanchey provincial military police. According to Khun Dim, the arrest was reportedly linked to allegations that the journalist had published misleading information.

On 30 January 2026, the journalist released a a video report detailing an incident in which a group of Chinese nationals were reportedly physically assaulted at a suspected online scamming compound in Poipet town. The report indicated that the compound was located approximately 100 meters behind the Poipet military police station, a fact that authorities should have been aware of. Following this, the journalist was accused by officials of attempting to tarnish the reputation of the institution.

A journalist's added that the authorities should have followed the Press Law by first requesting a correction or an apology, rather than proceeding with legal action. The journalist’s wife told CamboJA that she hopes her husband will be released soon.