The families of former activists and members of the disbanded opposition party, who have been jailed this year, petitioned the U.S. Embassy in Phnom Penh on Friday to intervene and aid in the release of their relatives.
The government has arrested former Cambodia National Rescue Party provincial officials and activists this year, often on the pretext of curbing the spread of fake news. Human Rights Watch has documented the arrest of at least 30 opposition officials, 16 of whom have been charged with varying crimes, such as incitement, conspiracy, and inciting military personnel to be disobedient.
The June 26 petition, delivered to the U.S. Embassy in Phnom Penh on Friday, states that the former CNRP members had been jailed and sent to the notorious Prey Sar prison in the capital. The CNRP members had not committed any crimes, the families said in the petition.
