The Supreme Court on Wednesday rejected bail to five Mother Nature Cambodia activists who were convicted of plotting to overthrow the government and insulting the king — charges which were widely condemned by rights groups.
Presiding judge Kong Srim, announced the decision, upholding the lower court’s verdict.
“The request for the bail is not reason enough,” Srim read the verdict.
“Secondly, the conviction of the five defendants involves a felony offense, and the court does not believe they would comply with the law if released on bail,” he said.
This decision is to prevent the commission of further offenses and to protect public security, order, and witnesses, he added.
Only three activists – Ly Chandaravuth, Phuon Keoreaksemy, and Thon Ratha – were in court this morning.
The five activists were previously denied provisional release from lower courts, although they expressed health problems and urgent family needs.
Long Kunthea, Ly Chandaravuth, Phuon Keoreaksmey, Thon Ratha and Yim Leanghy are five of 10 former Mother Nature members who were sentenced to six to eight years in prison. They were detained following a Zoom meeting in 2021, which was used as evidence in court to support allegations of a plot to topple the government.
Ratha’s wife, Pat Reaksmey, expressed disappointment with the apex court decision, insisting that her husband is innocent given his long-standing commitment to serving the public interest.
“I am deeply saddened to hear that the court did not allow his release on bail. I don’t know what to do, but I will appeal the decision,” she said.
“I urge the court to release the five individuals. They have worked to protect the environment. They were not involved in any conspiracy, and do not possess weapons [pose a threat],” Reaksmey added.
She pointed out that the activists’ work focused on protecting environmental issues and exposing corrupt officials who destroyed natural resources.
NGO rights group Licadho operations director Am Sam Ath was concerned that the continued imprisonment of the five activists “violates fundamental rights and freedom of expression”.
He noted that the international community, including the United Nations, criticized the government over what they described as a “persecution of activists who have worked to protect natural resources”.
“Their continued detention brings no benefit to Cambodia,” Sam Ath said.
The activists are among 71 prisoners of interest in Cambodia, whose speech or activism has been classified as criminal, according to a report by Licadho.
Mother Nature Cambodia members received the Right Livelihood Award for their “fearless and engaging activism” to protect Cambodia’s environment. The Swedish foundation behind the prize condemned their arrest and sentencing.
