The leader of a local NGO who is planning a protest Friday without City Hall’s permission, said that at least 10 policemen stood outside his house Wednesday from 7 to 11 am.
Sok Sambath, president of the obscure Association for Development of People’s Transportation and the Cambodian Freedom Democracy Right, said the police presence was an act of intimidation meant to frighten his group into canceling the demonstration.
Dangkao district governor Krouch Phan said Wednesday he had not ordered police to stake out Sok Sambath’s home. He said that he had only sent a letter to Sok Sambath on Tuesday afternoon asking him to call off the protest. Dangkao District Police Chief Mom Sowath declined to comment.
Friday’s demonstration is Sok Sambath’s second attempt to protest high gasoline prices. He was detained by police several weeks ago while driving to join protesters outside the National Assembly. He said Wednesday that he would not be dissuaded from trying again Friday.
Representatives from a second group, the Sam Rainsy Party-affiliated Students’ Movement for Democracy, said in a statement Wednesday they too will hold a demonstration against high gasoline prices in two weeks’ time.
