Article in The Guardian by Rebecca Ratcliffe, 10/24/24
Headline: “Journalist who exposed Cambodia’s scam industry released by authorities”
Subhead: “Mech Dara, charged with incitement, freed on bail after video of him apologising to country’s leaders appears”
“Mech Dara, one of Cambodia’s most prominent journalists, known for exposing the country’s billion-dollar scam industry, has been released on bail after a video of him apologizing to the country’s leaders appeared in pro-government media.
“Dara was arrested last month while traveling with his family, and charged with incitement over social media posts.”
“. . . Dara investigated scam compounds doggedly for the outlet Voice of Democracy (VOD) until it was shuttered last year by authorities in a move widely seen as an attack on independent media. He continued reporting for other outlets, doing so at far greater risk and with fewer rewards than many international reporters, Southern said.”
His reports documented the Telegram channels where trafficked workers are bought and sold, and the desperate pleas of those trapped inside compounds; he wrote about workers who jumped from balconies in attempts to escape, and the role and response of Cambodian officials.”