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After 20 months in prison on incitement charges, youth activist Koet Saray’s conviction was upheld this morning by the Phnom Penh Appeal Court, which has left his family and human rights group feeling “deep regret”.
The court sentenced Saray, president of the Khmer Student Intelligent League Association (KSILA), to four years’ jail and two million riel fine (around $500) in November 2025 for incitement in a land dispute case.
Am Sam Ath, operations director of the Cambodian League for the Promotion and Defence of Human Rights (Licadho), was sad and concerned about the court ruling, saying that the decision could intimidate other human rights defenders.
“We are deeply saddened by the decision of the Phnom Penh Appeal Court,” Sam Ath said. “Koet Saray’s past actions were efforts to protect human rights, the environment, and natural resources, particularly the promotion of freedom of expression in a democratic manner. He should not have been arrested, charged, or detained.”
Saray’s sister, Koet Yi, also voiced despair over the court decision. “We don’t know what to do because we don’t have the ability [to contest it] and we are clueless about the legal case. The only thing left is hope that the court will act fairly and release Saray,” she said.
Sam Ath warned that such sentences could “negatively affect those advocating for human rights and striving to promote human rights and democracy, potentially exposing them to charges and detention as well”.
After the decision, Cambodia Human Rights and Development Association (ADHOC) said that they would closely monitor the case, and provide lawyers to defend the rights of victims according to the law.
As a next course of action, Sam Ath mentioned that Saray’s lawyers could file an appeal to the Supreme Court, hoping that it would provide justice by dismissing his charges and releasing him from detention.
Saray, 31, was arrested in April 2024 after he met villagers affected by a long-running land dispute in Srayong commune, Kulen district in Preah Vihear province. At the time, the residents were seeking refuge in nearby forests after fleeing from their homes for fear of arrest by armed forces following the granting of 9,000 hectares of land concession to rubber company Seladamex in 2011.
The court charged Saray under Articles 494 and 495 of the Criminal Code, as well as Article 88 of the same Act for “committing a misdemeanor after being sentenced for another misdemeanor”, effectively doubling his prison term. Saray denied all charges, with lawyers and human rights groups arguing there was “no criminal intent” in his engagement with the villagers.
This is not Saray’s first legal challenge. In 2021, he was sentenced to 20 months in prison for participating in a peaceful protest supporting then-jailed union leader Rong Chhun.
According to Licadho, Saray is among 91 “prisoners of interest” currently detained in Cambodia due to activism or freedom of expression. His lawyers have indicated that they may petition the Supreme Court in pursuit of justice, though it remains unclear whether the higher court will grant leave for appeal.
