Release Born Samnang and Sok Samoeun

They are innocent, and were forced to admit.

The Cambodian courts have added to a string of decisions that could lead to increased instability and dictatorial oppression, local and international observers said Friday.

Born Samnang and Sok Samoeun were remanded to 20-year prison sentences by the Appeals Court on Thursday, following their release on the order of retrial in 2009. Both men are widely considered innocent in the killing of labor activist Chea Vichea, who was shot dead in broad daylight outside a Phnom Penh news kiosk in February 2004.

“No one can seriously believe that they are guilty,” said Rich Garella, producer of “Who Killed Chea Vichea,” a film that examines the mishandling of the case. “There hasn’t been a shred of evidence presented against them. It’s heartbreaking, despicable, disgusting.”

The decision Thursday came months ahead of national elections and coincided with the jailing of two housing activists in Phnom Penh, who received three years each for allegedly inciting violence in a demonstration. It also adds to the growing number of high-profile prisoners in Cambodian jails, including Mam Sonando, the owner of Beehive Radio, which carries programming from the Voice of America, Radio Free Asia and other international and independent entities. Meanwhile, a powerful governor in Svay Rieng province, Chhouk Bandith, has seen a case dropped against him after he allegedly fired into a crowd of demonstrators in February.

“The Cambodian government has no shame in using the courts as an arm of oppression,” said Brad Adams, Asia director at Human Rights Watch. “Instead of protecting rights, Cambodia’s judiciary is being used to suppress dissent and undermine justice.”

Garella said more powerful political interests were at work in the Appeals Court decision.

“In ordering the re-imprisonment of these two men, Hun Sen is being very purposeful,” he said. “He is showing that he can do anything in Cambodia. He is showing diplomats, opposition politicians and the public in general that he can and will imprison even unimportant regular people. It's not just the influential who must fear him. It’s everybody. Hun Sen is being quite open about his position as dictator.”

Source: http://www.voacambodia.com/content/latest-court-decision-add-to-growing-concerns-of-instability/1574029.html