Cambodia’s Supreme Court Upholds 14-Year Sentences for Journalists
Cambodia’s Supreme Court upheld 14-year prison sentences for two journalists convicted of treason.
Why it matters: The ruling signals ongoing legal suppression of press freedoms in Cambodia and raises international concerns for journalists and human rights advocates.
- Phorn Sopheap and Pheap Pheara were arrested on July 31, 2025, after posting border clash photos on Facebook.
- Siem Reap Provincial Court convicted them in December 2025, sentencing each to 14 years for supplying prejudicial information.
- Their appeal was upheld by the Battambang Appeal Court in March 2026.
- Cambodia ranks 161st out of 180 countries in the 2025 World Press Freedom Index, reflecting poor media freedom.
- Human Rights Watch criticized the sentences as evidence of Cambodian authorities’ disdain for media freedom.
On June 25, 2026, Cambodia's Supreme Court rejected the final appeals of journalists Phorn Sopheap and Pheap Pheara, affirming their 14-year prison sentences for treason. The two were initially arrested on July 31, 2025, after posting photographs on Facebook that showed border clashes with Thailand, including images of land mines in a military restricted zone. These photos were subsequently used by Thai media to support claims that Cambodia had planted new land mines, a claim Cambodia officially denied.
The Siem Reap Provincial Court convicted the journalists in December 2025 for supplying information prejudicial to national defense and sentenced each to 14 years in prison. The convictions were upheld in March 2026 by the Battambang Appeal Court before reaching the Supreme Court decision.
These rulings have drawn condemnation from human rights groups. Bryony Lau, Deputy Asia Director for Human Rights Watch, called the prosecution "bogus" and the sentences "draconian," highlighting what she described as the Cambodian authorities’ disdain for media freedom.
Cambodian officials, including Minister of Information Neth Pheaktra, asserted that while Cambodia respects press freedom, journalists must distinguish between legitimate journalism and illegal conduct.
This case reflects Cambodia’s broader challenges with press freedom; the country was ranked 161st out of 180 in the 2025 World Press Freedom Index, indicating significant restrictions on journalists and media voices.
By the numbers:
- 14 years — prison sentence for each journalist
- July 31, 2025 — date of journalists’ arrest
- December 2025 — conviction by Siem Reap Provincial Court
- 161st out of 180 — Cambodia's rank in 2025 World Press Freedom Index