Concern Grows for Detained Journalist Awarded by US for Exposing Online Scam Centers
Mech Dara, a Cambodian freelance journalist known for his investigative work on online scam operations, has been arrested and charged with incitement to disturb social security. The charges stem from social media posts he made in late September, which local authorities claim were intended to incite social unrest.
Dara was detained by military police while driving with his family to Phnom Penh. He managed to send a message to the human rights group Licadho before his phone was taken away. The charges against him could result in a prison sentence of up to two years and a fine ranging from $250 to $1,000.
The U.S. State Department has expressed deep concern over Dara’s arrest, highlighting his contributions to the 2023 Trafficking in Persons Report. The U.S. Embassy in Phnom Penh has also called for his release, recognizing him as a leading voice against human trafficking and online scams.
Rights groups, including the Committee to Protect Journalists, have condemned the arrest, stating that it is a clear attempt to silence a brave journalist who has consistently advocated for accountability in cases of human rights violations. Dara’s detention has drawn widespread criticism from fellow journalists and human rights organizations, with many calling for his immediate release and an end to all forms of intimidation against journalists and media entities.
