On March 14, 2025, the Battambang Provincial Court ordered the pre-trial detention of a journalist from Banan Santepheap in Battambang province on charge of incitement following a social media post.
According to a court order issued by investigating judge Nut Somary on March 14, 2025, the journalist, Cheang Phalla, is accused of incitement to disturb social security, allegedly committed through posts on Facebook between October 2024 and March 10, 2025. The charge fall under Article 495 of the Criminal Code.
The specific content of the post that led to the accusation was not disclosed, as it was removed on the same day. However, another journalist, who claimed to have seen the message as shared by authorities, stated that the post appeared to criticize the legal actions taken against Phalla.
A source said the post was made just before Phalla’s scheduled court appearance on March 10, 2025. He was arrested on March 12, 2025.
Cheang Phalla has previously faced five defamation lawsuits filed by Banan District Governor Sreng Sokha between October and November 2024. He was first summoned by the court on December 18, 2024, and again on March 10, 2025.