A Siem Reap court has sentenced Sy Loeuy, a woodworker and alleged illegal logger, to 12 years in prison for fatally shooting environmental journalist Chhoeung Chhoeng in December. The verdict was handed down on May 28 but had not been previously reported.
Loeuy, 40, was also ordered to pay $13,500 in compensation to the victim’s family.
Chhoeung Chhoeng, 63, a longtime reporter for digital news site Kampuchea Aphiwat, was shot by Loeuy on December 4 while investigating forest crimes in a northwest district of Siem Reap.
He died from his wounds three days later.
Loeuy admitted to the shooting, telling the court Chhoeng had demanded money in exchange for not publishing damaging photos or reporting him to authorities. He claimed he had “no intention” to kill the journalist, according to a copy of the verdict seen by CamboJA News.
The case marked Cambodia’s first killing of a journalist in more than a decade. In 2014, investigative reporter Taing Try was shot dead while covering illegal logging. Another environmental reporter was also killed that year.
Run Saray, executive director of Legal Aid Cambodia, which provided a lawyer for Chhoeng’s family, said the trial began on May 22 and concluded six days later with the verdict.
Chhoeng’s widow, Chiev Chap, said the sentence did not reflect the loss of her husband.
“Twelve years is too light – it’s not enough. One person lives and one is dead,” she said. “This is not justice.”
Chap said the compensation would help cover a bank loan, but added that the family was struggling financially, especially since she is sick and unable to work. Of their four children, three are adults and one still lives with her.
Meanwhile, Loeuy’s lawyer, Neang Sopheak, said the sentence and compensation were excessive. He said he would speak with Loeuy’s family about whether to appeal.
Nop Vy, executive director of the Cambodian Journalists Alliance Association, welcomed the court’s decision, saying tough penalties are needed to deter attacks on journalists.
“This case deserves a harsh sentence to send a clear message and prevent others from committing the same kind of violence,” he said.
But he urged authorities to keep investigating, particularly the networks behind illegal logging and land grabs.
“Illegal loggers never want journalists exposing deforestation and land grabbing,” he said. “We call for further investigations to identify and hold accountable others who may be behind these crimes – not just the man who shot Chhoeung Chhoeng.”
Information Ministry spokesperson Tep Asnarith said he was not aware of the verdict but stressed authorities had “taken swift action to seek justice.” He also urged journalists to “follow the law and ethical standards” and to “cooperate with relevant authorities” when reporting on sensitive issues.
Vague and informal restrictions around protected areas have increasingly been noted during the detention of activists and journalists investigating environmental crimes. In November, six environmentalists were arrested in a protected Stung Treng forest while investigating illegal logging. They were later released.
More recently, environmental journalist Uk Mao was charged with incitement, the latest case against him after previously being accused of the same forest crime he reported on. He is now out on bail.
The verdict in Chhoeung’s case has also drawn attention from press freedom groups.
“RSF welcomes the 12-year prison sentence handed down to the killer of Chhoeung Chhoeng,” said Aleksandra Bielakowska, advocacy manager for the Asia-Pacific bureau of Reporters Without Borders (RSF). “This court ruling serves as a reminder that those who take the lives of journalists must be held accountable.”
“This tragic event must mark a turning point and lead to reforms aimed at ending the violence faced by journalists in Cambodia – particularly environmental reporters,” she said.
