Cambodia jails pro-democracy advocate for FB post

A Cambodian court has sentenced a student to 18 months in jail after calling for a 'color revolution' in the country - a reference to the various pro-democracy revolutions of a decade ago.

Kong Raya, a 25-year-old anti-government activist, was arrested last August shortly after his controversial post appeared in the southeast Asian country.

Raya denounced the ruling but said he wasn't surprised by it, and vowed to appeal.

"There's nothing to be surprised about. This is how the court works," he said, adding "It is not only unjust for me, but also for all Cambodian people."

He also wrote on Facebook that he is willing to go to prison or die for his cause. Although how he intended to pursue it is unclear, and his call failed to garner public support.

Rights groups also criticized the ruling.

"It is a threat to those who want to make their voice heard" through social media, Am Sam Ath of local rights group Licadho told reporters. "It makes it harder for the youth and students to express their opinions."

Kol Preap, executive director of Transparency International Cambodia, said the sentencing was a "clear message" to Facebook users, who numbered over 5 million, or 34 per cent of the population in 2015, according to USAID.

"This particular case of Kong Raya could generate concern among Facebook users on their possible consequences for expressing political opinions or personal views on controversial issues, especially from now leading up to the elections in 2017 and 2018," he said.

Cambodia's 'vulgar regime'

His Facebook post also called on Cambodians to "change the vulgar regime" of Prime Minister Hun Sen, who has ruled the country for 30 years.

The prime minister's People's Party is less popular with the younger generation than their older counterparts. As a result the regime is cracking down on voices of dissent, especially on social media.

Another 25-year-old man was arrested and charged with issuing death threats to Hun Sen in a Facebook post in January.

And a Cambodian opposition senator faces up to 17 years in jail after a court accused him of posting a disputed document on Facebook about the country's border with Vietnam.

Despite the government's crackdown on dissent via social media Hun Sen has, himself, become a late convert to the medium.

He launched a new website and mobile app earlier this year, in an attempt to engage the public, especially young voters, many of whom support the opposition. He has also embraced Facebook.

The prime minister says he is open to constructive criticism but has warned social media users who insult him that they can be easily traced.

bik/jil (AFP, Reuters, dpa)