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Activist Ouk Pich Samang was arrested by police on Wednesday as he returned after accompanying Nation Power Party (NPP) advisor Rong Chhun to submit a petition to the royal palace. He is being questioned at Phnom Penh Municipal Police office, according to rights group Licadho.
Chhun had petitioned King Norodom Sihamoni’s cabinet to restore his political rights, following the highest court’s ruling to uphold his incitement conviction and ban him from political activities for five years.
Licadho operations director Am Sam Ath said that his team is monitoring Pich Samang’s case, but has no details of his arrest yet.
Recall that Pich Samang was convicted in 2015 of intentional violence and obstructing authorities and sentenced to two years in prison after being caught for protesting outside then-Prime Minister Hun Sen’s house for a solution to a land conflict on behalf of a Preah Vihear community.
In a separate case, two newly-appointed local-level leaders, Sok Hun and Sorn Reth from NPP, were jailed on forgery charges linked to the preparation of election candidate lists for the 2027 commune election.
The arrests have concerned opposition parties of possible political persecution with election season approaching.
Phnom Penh Municipal police chief Chuon Narin could not be reached for comment.
Both Phnom Penh Municipal Court spokesperson Sam Vichheika and deputy prosecutor spokesperson Chhay Hong did not respond to requests for comment.
Hun and Reth were appointed to NPP leader posts in Phnom Penh’s Stung Meanchey commune less than a month ago, and were arrested at their homes by the Phnom Penh Municipal Police on August 28, according to party officials.
The two men were questioned over the organization of candidate lists dating back to April 2025 and sent to the Phnom Penh Municipal Court the following day before being charged under the Criminal Code for “forgery” and “using forged documents” which carries a prison term of one to three years.
“I think it is a form of political intimidation and pressure on the NPP as it tries to participate in the democratic process,” said Sok Kimseng, the party’s deputy president and spokesperson.
“What we have to consider here is that they [Hun and Reth] were arrested when they had a joint activity with the Nation Power Party,” he said, adding that there was no legal action before Hun and Reth were affiliated with the opposition party.
Kimseng said that the NPP faces challenges of unequal competition, which results in psychological and physical pressures, particularly through the use of legal action to strike the party.
Political parties participating in the elections are required to prepare several documents, including candidate lists, biographies, proof that candidates are registered on the voter list, and evidence that they voted in the previous election.
Each party needs to also obtain an original copy of the document recognizing the party, which is issued by the Interior Ministry, Kimseng said, adding that the NPP has met all the requirements.
In 2025, there were several cases of alleged public document forgery documents linked to Deouk Chhan, deputy commune councilor of Candlelight Party, who was arrested late June last year.
According to Hun’s son, Sok Phors, and Reth’s wife, Kat Chea, the arrests are “politically-motivated” and called for their immediate release.
“This is so unfair because he [Reth] did nothing wrong. How can he forge documents when he doesn’t even know how to write in Khmer?” she told CamboJA News, adding that she visited her husband in Prey Sar prison earlier today.
Senator Kong Monika of Khmer Will Party said similar incidents occurred in his party where party incumbents and candidates had been arrested as the elections neared.
“We see these arrests as a form of threat and intimidation. Those who have been arrested would be granted bail when they reach an agreement [with the ruling CPP],” he said.
“We demand fair competition, and a free and fair election, with the arbitrator [National Election Council] being independent,” Monika said.
Korn Savang, policy and advocacy coordinator for the Committee for Free and Fair Elections in Cambodia (COMFREL), expressed concern about the continued arrests of opposition members.
“It curtails the political rights of politicians to engage in politics and affects freedom of speech,” he said.
Ruling CPP spokesperson Chea Thyrith said that the arrest is related to court jurisdictions and CPP is ready to contest in the upcoming elections.
