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The Phnom Penh Appeal Court on Monday upheld the conviction of Paris Peace Agreement activist Srun Srorn for his criticism of the judicial system in 2024 as lacking independence.
He sought to overturn a two-year prison sentence for incitement which was handed down in absentia by the Phnom Penh Municipal Court in 2024. He was also fined four million riel (approximately $1,000).
It follows a Facebook livestream on June 11, 2024, during which Srorn is alleged to have said that Cambodian courts lacked independence, neutrality, and accountability, a possible reference to the ruling Cambodian People’s Party’s alleged involvement.
In April, Srorn was again sentenced to two years in prison, along with dozens of activists, for another incitement charge after a statement regarding the regional development pact known as CLV-DTA (Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam Development Triangle Area).
Defense lawyer Son Chum Choun said that the new conviction means his client would have to serve an additional two-year prison sentence, noting that his sentence in the CLV-related case is scheduled to end in July this year.
“This means he will continue serving another two years and would only be released in 2028,” he said.
He called on the court to consider absorbing both the prison sentences so that his client could be released sooner.
Srorn’s wife, Soeng Sopina, maintained that her husband is innocent, that he helped to educate people and improve society.
“I hope that he will be freed from prison in July but now I am not sure because of [the new sentence],” she said.
Activist Thel Theylen, who attended the hearing, expressed disappointment that the Appeal Court upheld the Phnom Penh Municipal Court’s decision.
“This decision shows a restriction on citizens’ right to freedom of expression,” he said, adding that Srorn had sought an explanation from state authorities regarding the judicial system, which he believes is in line with the Constitution.
He called on government leaders and the court to release Srorn, especially at a time of conflict with Thailand, so that he could share his knowledge and skills related to the Paris Peace Agreement to contribute to the national interest.
Ruos Sarat, project coordinator for the Protecting Fundamental Freedoms project of the Cambodian Center for Human Rights (CCHR), was also disappointed with the verdict.
“Srorn faces an additional two years of imprisonment after completing his current prison sentence in a separate case in July 2026,” he said.
He pointed out that the government has an obligation to respect and uphold freedom of expression, which is a fundamental freedom guaranteed under the Cambodian Constitution and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which Cambodia has ratified.
“As Cambodia is set to hold a commune council election in 2027, and a national election in 2028, we call on the authorities to respect freedom of expression as a core value in a democratic society,” Sarath said.
