On November 17, 2024, five online journalists from different media outlets were questioned by Kandal Provincial Police after reporting about an alleged illegal gambling operation in Chrey Thom village, Sampeou Poun town in Kandal province.
Foreign-based VOD news portal reported on November 19 that five journalists were arrested and detained for a day for questioning after they wrote about an illegal gambling operation.
The Police Commissariat of Kandal Province denied the journalists were arrested and detained, but that they were only asked to give details relating to the report.
In the statement issued on November 21, the police said that after receiving the report on illegal gambling in Chrey Thom village published by the media outlets on November 17, 2024, the authorities conducted an investigation related to incitement to disturb social security.
The journalists were [invited or taken] to the police station and asked to provide detailed information. Police said the journalists were then allowed to return home after questioning.
Following the police statement, the journalists made a live video, saying that they were not arrested and detained as reported by VOD.
According to a source quoted by VOD, the five journalists were detained one night for questioning and asked to sign a contract before release.
CamboJA also interviewed with relevant sources to verify the case:
Governor of Sampeou Poun town, Eng Vichet
Police Commissariat of Kandal Province
Police at Sampeou Poun town
Affected journalists