Luot Sophal was arrested on February 13, 2026, by police in Samraong, the capital of Oddar Meanchey province, and taken to the provincial headquarters for questioning about a report he published about an alleged water shortage faced by frontline Cambodian soldiers, a Kiripost report and rights groups said.
Sophal, a journalist with the local independent Srotop Yuvakvey news, was later charged under Articles 472, 494 and 495 of the penal code for demoralizing the armed forces and incitement to commit a felony, according to an Oddar Meanchey Provincial Court statement. If convicted, he faces up to seven years in prison.
Sophal was arrested after posting a video on his personal Facebook page on February 7 discussing the alleged water shortage and including a photograph of government leaders, according to the sources.
While in custody, authorities ordered him to delete the post and apologize in a video. He is being held at Oddar Meanchey prison, local rights group LICADHO told CPJ via messaging app.
Journalists who have reported on Cambodia’s border dispute with neighboring Thailand, including episodic armed hostilities, have faced threats and reprisals, with at least two journalists held on treason charges for their conflict-related reportage.
The Ministry of Information did not immediately respond to CPJ’s emailed request for comment.