Award-winning Cambodian journalist Mech Dara has been released on bail after being detained on charges of inciting social unrest for sharing posts about a rock quarry. Dara, known for exposing corruption and human trafficking, faces up to two years in prison after being arrested on 1 October. His arrest prompted concerns from rights groups and the US government.
Previously working for the Cambodia Daily and the Phnom Penh Post, Dara was awarded the Hero Award in 2023 by US secretary of state Antony Blinken for investigations into massive scam compounds in Cambodia. Authorities stopped his car with his family, leading to his arrest, according to the independent Cambodian Journalists Alliance Association.
Dara is renowned for reporting on human trafficking connected to online scam operations, where victims are lured into virtual slavery in compounds housing casinos. Despite facing challenges from government pressures leading to the closure of media outlets, Dara remains dedicated to uncovering the truth. The situation highlights the ongoing struggle for press freedom and the importance of journalists like Dara in exposing injustices.
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