Story perspectives

Cambodian Journalists Appeal 14-Year Sentences for Reporting

2/21/2026

Summary

Story summary

Phorn Sopheap and Pheap Pheara, Cambodian journalists, appealed their 14-year treason sentences after sharing photos of land mines in a restricted military zone.
Authorities arrested them July 31, 2025, after reporting border clashes with Thailand, and charged them with supplying a foreign state with information prejudicial to national defense.
Rights groups say convictions threaten press freedom as Cambodia ranks 161st out of 180 in the 2025 World Press Freedom Index.

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Story summary

Phorn Sopheap and Pheap Pheara, Cambodian journalists, appealed their 14-year treason sentences after sharing photos of land mines in a restricted military zone.
Authorities arrested them July 31, 2025, after reporting border clashes with Thailand, and charged them with supplying a foreign state with information prejudicial to national defense.
Rights groups say convictions threaten press freedom as Cambodia ranks 161st out of 180 in the 2025 World Press Freedom Index.