Journalists accused of extorting illegal loggers

Four local journalists were arrested yesterday in Oddar Meanchey province’s Trapeang Prasat district for allegedly extorting money from illegal timber traders in exchange for remaining silent over their illicit operation. According to a police officer who spoke on condition of anonymity, the four journalists said that they would not report on the illegal logging nor turn the loggers over to the authorities in exchange for $625.
 

The four suspects, from local news outlets Independent Newspaper, Koh Pech newspaper and KMS Daily News, were identified as Senh Samley, 40, Sar Thuch, 41, Pav Tith, 32, and Seuong San, 28. “We arrested them based on the traders’ complaint,” the unnamed police officer said.
 

“We transferred them to the provincial police station for further questioning,” he added. District police chief Colonel In Kay declined to comment when contacted yesterday.

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