A Kratie journalist was charged with extortion yesterday after reporting the transport of illegal timber to the Kratie Provincial Court.

Prosecutor Chap Soreaksmey said reporter Taing Try was arrested on Friday and charged yesterday for extorting timber from the owner of a car whom he accused of illegally transporting luxury wood.

Both Try and the driver were apprehended, though the driver was later released after the prosecutor said the wood was not luxury and the transport legal.

Sok Sovann, president of Democratic Khmer Journalists Association, called the charge unjust and said Try had repeatedly reported illegal timber transport to prosecutors who chose to turn a blind eye.

To contact the reporter on this story: Meas Sokchea at [email protected]