Trial Day Again…
The trial of Tim Sakmony (from the Borei Keila community) and Yorm Bopha (from the Boeung Kak Lake community) took place at the Phnom penh Municipal Court this afternoon, with some 250 supporters facing the police at one end of the blocked road. Both accused spent more than 114 days in pre-detention and were declared ‘Prisoners of Conscience’ by Amnesty International. The accusations against both women are indeed widely regarded by Human Rights organisation as a pretext to muzzle the women who were very active in protesting their eviction in Borei Keila (see here) and Boeung Kak Lake (see here and here) .
The area was cordoned off by the police. A demonstration of ‘moto dup’ supporting the plaintiff, a motorcycle driver allegedly beaten up by Yorm Bopha, was held by some 150 people at one end of the street after they received their free meal.
As of this posting there was no verdict.
This is a follow-up post on the ‘Quest for Land‘ story which is available as an iApp on iTunes.
CAMBODIA. Phnom Penh. 26/12/2012: Hand of supporter behind police blockade at trial of Tim Sakmony and Yorm Bopha at the Phnom Penh Municipal Court.
CAMBODIA. Phnom Penh. 26/12/2012: ‘Moto Dup’ carrying photographs of their colleague allegedly injured by Yorm Bopha during demonstration in support of the plaintiff at the trial of Tim Sakmony and Yorm Bopha at the Phnom Penh Municipal Court.
CAMBODIA. Phnom Penh. 26/12/2012: Supporters from the Boeung Kak Lake and the Borei Keila communities trying to pass through police blockade at trial of Tim Sakmony and Yorm Bopha at the Phnom Penh Municipal Court.
CAMBODIA. Phnom Penh. 26/12/2012: Supporters from the Boeung Kak Lake and the Borei Keila communities at the trial of Tim Sakmony and Yorm Bopha at the Phnom Penh Municipal Court.
CAMBODIA. Phnom Penh. 26/12/2012: Tep Vanny, Boeung Kak Lake Community Representative, with other supporters from the Boeung Kak Lake and the Borei Keila communities demonstrating during trial of Tim Sakmony and Yorm Bopha at the Phnom Penh Municipal Court.
CAMBODIA. Phnom Penh. 26/12/2012: Demonstrator with a Santa Claus beard talking to supporters from the Boeung Kak Lake and the Borei Keila communities demonstrating during the trial of Tim Sakmony and Yorm Bopha at the Phnom Penh Municipal Court.
CAMBODIA. Phnom Penh. 26/12/2012: Activist carrying the a picture of Buddha during demonstration of supporters from the Boeung Kak Lake and the Borei Keila communities at the trial of Tim Sakmony and Yorm Bopha at the Phnom Penh Municipal Court.
CAMBODIA. Phnom Penh. 26/12/2012: Santa Claus carrying the symbol of justice during demonstration of supporters from the Boeung Kak Lake and the Borei Keila communities at the trial of Tim Sakmony and Yorm Bopha at the Phnom Penh Municipal Court.
CAMBODIA. Phnom Penh. 26/12/2012: Lotus flower petals left by supporters from the Boeung Kak Lake and the Borei Keila communities in front of police barricade at trial of Tim Sakmony and Yorm Bopha at the Phnom Penh Municipal Court.
Edited at 20:44 and according to Nora Lindström: Sakmony found guilty. But suspended sentences starting today means she will be released. Community outside court is jubilant but getting ready for the resumption of bopha’s trial tomorrow at 8am…