In a recent interview, we spoke with Mech Dara, an award-winning Cambodian journalist who has made headlines after his release on bail following an arrest earlier this month. Mr. Dara, known for his reporting with the BBC, faced serious charges of incitement related to social media posts that authorities claimed could incite social unrest.
Mr. Dara was released from Kandal jail on Thursday, shortly after a pro-government news outlet aired a video showing him asking for forgiveness from the nation’s leaders. The accusations against him stemmed from five posts deemed “provocative” and “false” concerning a rock quarry situated on a sacred mountain.
His arrest drew the attention of various human rights organizations and prompted responses from multiple governments, including the United States. Upon his release, Mr. Dara expressed gratitude, stating, “I thank everyone who helped get me out of jail on bail.” He also shared that he needed time to recuperate after his detainment, admitting, “My health is weak. My brain is not working yet.”
The video released by Fresh News, which featured Mr. Dara in an orange prison uniform, showed him apologizing to former Prime Minister Hun Sen and his son, current Prime Minister Hun Manet. In the clip, he acknowledged that his posts contained “false information that is harmful to the leaders and the country.”
Interestingly, the video surfaced on the same day that Samantha Power, the Administrator of USAID, confirmed she had discussed Mr. Dara’s arrest during a meeting with the Prime Minister in Phnom Penh.
