[Update] Journalist Hem Vanna Convicted, Given Six-Month Suspended Prison Sentence

On 28 July 2026, the Banteay Meanchey Provincial Court has convicted online journalist Hem Vanna of HVNN TV and sentenced him to six months' imprisonment, suspended, after finding him guilty of incitement to commit a felony under Articles 494 and 495 of the Criminal Code, as well as intercepting or recording a private conversation under Article 301. The court held a hearing in Vanna’s case on 16 July 2026.

Vanna spent more than two months in Banteay Meanchey Provincial Prison after being arrested and placed in pre-trial detention on 4 February 2026. He was released on bail on 8 April 2026 following his second bail hearing at the provincial court, held one day after the investigation into his case concluded.

His initial bail request was rejected by the provincial court on 18 February 2026. That decision was later upheld by the Battambang Court of Appeal in April 2026.

Vanna was arrested after reporting on an alleged assault at a suspected scam compound, which he said was located approximately 100 to 200 meters behind a military police station in Poipet City, Banteay Meanchey Province.

Speaking to CamboJA on 3 August 2026, Vanna said he accepted the court’s verdict and would not appeal the conviction. He did not provide further details about the court’s decision.