PRESS RELEASE
PHOTOGRAPHER HIT BY POLICE, EQUIPMENT SEIZED
14 January 2011
PHNOM PENH – The Overseas Press Club of Cambodia (OPCC) condemns the actions of uniformed police on a staff photographer of the Phnom Penh Post newspaper at an eviction in Phnom Penh this morning.
Four riot police with shields boxed in and restrained Cambodian national Sovan Philong, 25, preventing him from moving as they confiscated his camera equipment.
During the confiscation, Sovan Philong sustained a minor injury to his head.
At the time Sovan Philong, who was wearing his government-issued press identification, was documenting an eviction at Boeung Kak lake in central Phnom Penh.
Police also confiscated camera equipment being used by Sovan Philiong’s brother, Hong Menea, 20, an apprentice photographer.
The police later returned the camera equipment to both photographers after deleting the images on the memory cards.
The OPCC calls on the authorities to ensure that members of the press are not obstructed while doing their jobs, and that they are not unjustly accused, harassed or arrested for going about their professional duties.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, CONTACT:
Robert Carmichael, President OPCC: +855-12-941250
robert@robertcarmichael.net
Brian Calvert, Vice-President OPCC: +855-92-352530
brcalvert@gmail.com
NOTES FOR EDITORS
Boeung Kak lake is the site of a controversial eviction and development project by local firm Shukaku Inc, connected to ruling party senator Lao Meng Khin, and a Chinese company, Inner Mongolia Erdos Hung Jun Investment Co.
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