TAKEO PROVINCE, Cambodia — Journalists Prum Sophay, Deputy Editor of Koh Santepheap, and Sean Bunsong, Editor of Sunday News, were arrested and accused of incitement after publishing a report on an alleged online scam site in Bati District, Takeo province.
According to Chan Thorn, Editor of Dermrang, Sophay and Bunsong were detained in separate locations on February 12 and taken to Takeo Provincial Police Headquarters for questioning. Bunsong was detained around noon in Takeo, while Sophay was arrested later that evening at his Phnom Penh home.
Tep Asnarith confirmed that authorities are investigating whether the case involved the spread of false information and said the ministry is prepared to provide legal support after reviewing the matter.
The arrests follow a report published by Koh Santepheap on February 9, alleging that Bati District officials concealed information about a large-scale online gambling operation at Sophamit Residence in Troyeng Klu village, Lumpong Commune. The report also noted internal complaints by 67 sub-national officials to the Interior Ministry regarding alleged irregularities in local leadership.
Authorities later confirmed the closure of the Sophamit Residence compound, spanning five hectares with 348 rooms, which is now used to temporarily detain foreign nationals before deportation. The site had previously been linked to cybercrime operations and trafficking and was visited by South Korea’s Vice Foreign Minister Kim Jina during discussions with Prime Minister Hun Manet.
Observers, including Nop Vy, criticized the arrests as legal harassment that undermines press freedom, despite Cambodia’s broader crackdown on online scams. Between January and early February 2026, authorities closed nearly 200 scam sites, arrested 173 senior cybercrime figures, and deported over 110,000 foreigners.
These arrests follow a pattern of targeting journalists reporting on scams, gambling, and security issues, including the detention of investigative reporter Mech Dara and HHVNN TV Online Editor Hem Vanna in previous months.
Press freedom in Cambodia has been declining, ranking 161 out of 180 countries in 2025, though the government maintains an internal assessment scoring 81.4 percent. Observers warn that continued legal pressure on journalists could hinder the country’s anti-cyberfraud efforts.
