Kompong Chhnang Provincial Court has summoned eight villagers locked in a land dispute with a powerful development company for questioning next week over allegations of aggravated violence and the destruction of property during a series of clashes with workers at the site last month.
Investigating Judge Nhuong Chanthy has summoned two men—Snguon Nheoun, the husband of outspoken Lor Peang village representative Oum Sophy—and Srun Tha, from Lor Peang village, and six other men from the neighboring Boeng Kak village.
Ms. Sophy said on Friday that the warrant is dated July 25 and that the men face being forcibly brought to court by the police if they fail to show.
“It is a huge injustice what the court system has delivered against us for protesting for the protection of our cultivated farmland that was illegally grabbed by a powerful woman,” Ms. Sophy said.
Although villagers filed a complaint against the KDC company in 2007, the case has never proceeded at the court.
KDC is owned by Chea Kheng, the wife of Mines and Energy Minister Suy Sem.
