Six months after union representative Suos Chantha was arrested on what many claim were spurious charges of drug distribution, those familiar with the case said his prospects at trial may be promising, but the fallout for unionists has been steep.
Mr Chantha’s lawyer, Seng Sokhim, said yesterday that his client’s initial pretrial detention period will expire on Wednesday, though the court is legally allowed to extended it twice. “I heard recently the court will be setting a hearing date, but I do not know when exactly,” he said. “He was not involved in drug dealing. He could be freed.”
In November, just one day after firming up plans to lead a defection from his CPP-aligned union to an independent one, the CCAWDU, Mr Chantha was arrested by military police who allegedly discovered an illicit substance under the seat of his motorbike. Investigations conducted by rights groups in the incident’s wake suggested a frame-up, though military police vehemently deny such claims.
“We would never make any fake evidence to cause trouble for people. It is useless and we don’t get any benefit from doing that,” said Kheng Tito, military police spokesman.
David Welsh, country director for the American Center for International Labor Solidarity, said the case had garnered attention from international buyers, which could help Mr Chantha.
“If it goes poorly, it will be a serious blemish [for the garment industry],” said Mr Welsh. “The charges should be dropped.” If there is a trial, said Mr Welsh, it will likely be speedy and in Mr Chantha’s favor.
In the meantime, however, unionists have grown nervous. Moeun Tola, head of the labor program at the Community Legal Education Center, said the arrest and lengthy pre-trial detention had scared workers who might have considered a similar defection.
“When I talk with the unions, they all report that many of the union leaders who want to join CCAWDU say they’re holding off,” said Mr Tola. “It’s a scary situation for those who want to join independent unions.”
For Mr Chantha’s family, though, concerns are more basic. “I am really worried for his wife and daughter, who rely on him to feed them,” said his brother, Suos Sak. “The longer he is imprisoned, the hungrier they are.”
