Photojournalist Detained for Questioning While Covering Protest in Front of Chinese Embassy

Description

On 8 June 2026, a photographer from a local media outlet was arrested and taken to Tuol Svay Prey 1 Commune Police Station for questioning while covering a protest by Huione Bank customers in front of the Chinese Embassy in Phnom Penh. According to information provided to CamboJA by the outlet's publisher on 9 June 2026, the photographer was detained at the commune police station for approximately two hours before being released following the publisher's intervention. The publisher informed the police that the photographer had been carrying out his professional duties.

In total, at least three journalists faced restrictions while covering the protest outside the Chinese Embassy in Phnom Penh. On 16 June, two journalists—a photographer and a female reporter—were reportedly prevented from photographing the protest, and police deleted all the photos and videos they had captured.

Information
Is the case related to their journalistic work?
Yes
Number of attacked persons or entities related to media
1
Do they work as freelance or media?
Yes
Position in media
Photographer
Status of journalists
Other
Gender
Male
Age
25-34
Country
Phnom Penh Capital
Full name or name of group
Unidentified
Background (state actor or non state actor)
Non-state actors (Political party, intolerance group, religious group, individual, private organization, private company, etc)
Gender
Unknown
Is it related to gender and identity based violence?
No
Attack mention about gender background/sexual wording?
No
Date of incident
Type of incident
Detention - imprisonment
Please type the data source here (text)
CamboJA interviewed with his publisher