Jailed Cambodian American activist wants transfer back to Phnom Penh

[geovalin]

Theary Seng is detained in a prison in Cambodia’s north, making it difficult for her lawyer and family to visit.

 

A Cambodian American democracy activist jailed on treason charges will request a transfer back to a prison in Phnom Penh, one month after authorities transferred her to a remote prison in the northern part of the country due to what they claimed were security concerns.

 

Theary Seng was sentenced to six years in prison on June 14 along with 50 other activists for their association with the banned Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP), once the main opposition in the country before the Supreme Court dissolved it in 2017.

 

Dressed as the Statue of Liberty as she waited in protest in front of the courthouse as the verdict in the mass trial was reached, Theary Seng was quickly taken into custody and sent to Prey Sar prison in the country’s capital. Just a day later, however, Cambodian authorities transferred her to Preah Vihear prison far to the north.

 

Prison officials at that time told RFA that they made the move to maintain public order and to ensure her safety, but her lawyer said it isolated her from her family and legal counsel.

 

The lawyer, Choung Chou-Ngy, told RFA’s Khmer Service on Monday that he would visit her on Tuesday to prepare the paperwork to request she be transferred back to Phnom Penh.

 

“If Miss Seng Theary needs to be transferred to [Prey Sar Prison], I will prepare the form for her this week,” he said. “I expect that it will be honored according to her wishes [because] it is difficult for her relatives to see her when she is so far away and it is difficult for her to see a lawyer.”

 

Authorities will only approve the transfer if they determine that it will not disturb the social order, Nuth Savana, spokesman for the General Department of Prisons of the Ministry of Interior, told RFA.

 

“She has the right to request, but we will study her request. If the study sees that the situation can be better for her to be back to Phnom Penh, then we will get her back,” he said. “But if the assessment is still not good for her to return, we will leave her there.”

 

The court seemingly wants to deprive Theary Seng of visits from relatives, friends, legal counsel or anyone else who would want to visit her, said Ny Sokha, president of the local Cambodian Human Rights and Development Association (Adhoc) NGO.

 

“This seems to have been done in a sense that cut her off from family and friends, making it difficult for the family to meet. Thus, it is not easy. It hurts her mental health and it seems like she is being persecuted,” he said. 

 

Ny Sokha also said that he doubted official statements that claimed the transfer was done for security, as officials have said. 

Theary Seng was a high-profile activist for democratic reforms in Cambodia prior to her arrest, often wearing elaborate costumes to attract attention to her cause. Her support of the CNRP and the return of its exiled leader, Sam Rainsy, led to the charges that sent her to prison. 

Citizens and civil society officials have called for Theary Seng’s release because they believe that none of her actions constitute treason or incitement.

 

Translated by Sok Ry Sum. Written in English by Eugene Whong.

https://www.rfa.org/english/news/cambodia/thearyseng-07182022190448.html

 

[Denim]

Respect her bravery