The Supreme Court on February 23 denied the bail request of former Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP) activist Pav Ravy – who was charged in connection with writing and distributing leaflets urging the toppling of Prime Minister Hun Sen.

According to court documents, Ravy, 48, was arrested by Khsach Kandal district police in Kandal province on August 6 last year and sent to the Provincial Court.

He was charged with “incitement to commit a felony” and “causing serious harm to social order” under articles 494 and 495 of the Criminal Code. The investigating judge ordered his detention in Kandal Provincial Prison.

Ravy appealed the court’s decision to detain him and his bail request was denied by the Phnom Penh Municipal Court of Appeal in December, prompting him to file a grievance to the Supreme Court.

After a one-hour hearing followed by 10 minutes of deliberation, Presiding Judge Chiv Keng order the verdict to be read.

“The Appeal Court verdict … is in accordance with the law. Therefore, the Supreme Court upholds the judgment,” it said.

According to Khsach Kandal district authorities, in August 2019 the accused wrote and distributed a leaflet which criticised the head of the government. In the leaflet, he called for the return of former CNRP leader Sam Rainsy and urged him to topple Prime Minister Hun Sen.