Environmental activist Kreung Tola said he was sued because he posted content on Facebook provided to him by an official. Photo supplied
Environmental activist Kreung Tola has been summonsed to the Mondulkiri Provincial Court for questioning after he accused Sre Pok Wildlife Sanctuary chief Pen Pheaktra of allowing forest crimes to take place in the areas he managed.
Tola told The Post that he received a warrant from the court on Monday.
He said Pheaktra sued him because of a Facebook post he uploaded in February relating to information given him by an environmental officer and others.
Tola claimed the officer called and showed him pictures of illegally produced wooden handicrafts and furniture. He further claimed that the officer asked him to post it on Facebook to incriminate Pheaktra.
The public also claimed that they saw offenders entering the Sre Pok Wildlife Sanctuary to log 100ha, and nobody stopped them.
“What I know is that I posted the information from an environmental officer who complained to me. I am not afraid to clarify as I have an audio of the voice of the authority who gave me the information. If the court allows, I will present the audio and post it publicly on Facebook,” he said.
On February 11, the court revealed the Facebook page that purportedly showed Pheaktra receiving benefits from allowing illegal land clearing and the production of illegal handicrafts.
A warrant was issued by the court’s deputy prosecutor Mam Vanda requiring Tola to defend himself against accusations of defamation and announcing fake news on April 1.
The Post could not reach Pheaktra for comment on Monday.
Provincial Department of Environment director Keo Sopheak said his department wasn’t involved in the dispute between Tola and Pheaktra, but he supported citizens reporting forest offences as long as they used the right channels.
Instead of posting inflammatory posts on Facebook, he urged them to report to the authorities, who would then investigate the matter.
“There is an environmental officer who persuaded him [Tola] to do it. When he did it [posted the information], it was a bit serious. He [Pheaktra] also wanted to protect his dignity. I do not know which officer reported the information to Tola.
“There were similar cases to this one before and the court made them sign a contract to end the problem. But I would prefer not to burden the court,” he said.
Provincial coordinator for rights group Adhoc, Eang Mengly, said the complaint could discourage environmental activists from criticising the actions of environmental officers.
“This is the way to discourage brave members of the public. They won’t want to share their opinions or accuse any local authority of wrongdoing,” he said.
