Yeang Sothearin Archives - Committee to Protect Journalists

Former Radio Free Asia journalists Yeang Sothearin (L) and Uon Chhin (R) arrive at the court of appeal in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, on January 20, 2020, for a hearing. On January 28, the appeals court upheld espionage investigations against the two journalists. (AFP/Tang Chhin Sothy)

Cambodia upholds espionage investigations into ex-Radio Free Asia reporters

January 28, 2020 8:42 AM EST

Bangkok, January 28, 2020–A Cambodian appeals court today rejected a request made by two former Radio Free Asia reporters for state prosecutors to drop a reinvestigation of espionage charges pending against them, according to a report by their former employer.

Journalists Uon Chhin, center left, and Yeang Sothearin, center right, are seen at the municipal court in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, on August 30, 2019. A municipal court judge recently ordered their case to be reinvestigated. (AP/Heng Sinith)

Cambodian court delays verdict, orders new investigation of ex-Radio Free Asia reporters

October 3, 2019 10:00 AM EDT

Bangkok, October 3, 2019 — Cambodian authorities should drop all charges against Uon Chhin and Yeang Sothearin and stop their campaign of harassment against them, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today.

Uon Chhin and Yeang Sothearin, former journalists for Radio Free Asia, are seen in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, on August 21, 2018. The journalists are being tried on espionage charges. (Reuters/Samrang Pring)

Espionage trial to begin for former Radio Free Asia reporters in Cambodia

July 24, 2019 1:00 PM EDT

Bangkok, July 24, 2019 — Cambodia should drop espionage charges against two former Radio Free Asia reporters and stop using anti-state charges to harass journalists, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today.

Uon Chhin, left, and Yeang Sothearin, former journalists for Radio Free Asia, leave prison in Cambodia after being freed on bail. Both still face espionage charges. (Reuters/Samrang Pring)

Cambodian journalists released on bail but espionage charges remain

August 21, 2018 12:27 PM EDT

Bangkok, August 21, 2018–Two former Radio Free Asia journalists were granted bail in Cambodia today by Phnom Penh’s Municipal Court, according to news reports. Uon Chhin, a videographer, and Yeang Sothearin, previously a news editor at the U.S. Congress-funded station, were arrested on November 14, 2017 and held in pre-trial detention until their release today.…

Cambodia's Prime Minister Hun Sen, pictured in November 2017. Two former RFA journalists are detained in Cambodia as the country cracks down on the press ahead of elections. (Reuters/Erik De Castro)

Two former Radio Free Asia journalists detained in Cambodia

November 16, 2017 12:25 PM EST

Bangkok, November 16, 2017–Two former reporters with the U.S. Congress-funded Radio Free Asia were detained in Cambodia on November 14 on suspicion of illegally producing and disseminating news, according to news reports. The Committee to Protect Journalists today called on Cambodian authorities to immediately release the pair and drop any charges against them.