The Supreme Court has denied a bail request by union leader Rong Chhun following his November 11 trial on charges of causing social chaos in relation to his Facebook posts about border markers in Tbong Khmum province.

Judge Kim Sathavy read the decision in front of the accused and his defence lawyer Chuong Choungy.

Choungy had argued Chhun’s detention was not necessary because his client had always cooperated with the police and the court.

According to Sathavy, Chhun told the Supreme Court that his detention is not justified and has only drawn criticism.

However, Sathavy said it was unlikely that the investigating judge had handled the case incorrectly.

“The Supreme Court has decided the charged person is not allowed bail because it could affect social order and security. Therefore the court upholds the Appeal Court’s ruling,” she said.

Choungy declined to comment after the hearing.

Chhun said that on July 20, he travelled to Trapeang Phlong commune’s Trapeang Phlong village in Tbong Khmum’s Ponhea Kraek district to ask 106 families about border matters. Citing their accounts, he said the planting of border markers in the province had resulted in Cambodia losing 60ha to Vietnam.

In a Facebook post on July 21, Chhun said the authorities should give the remaing land to people so that they can grow crops.

Chhun was arrested on July 31 at his house. The municipal court investigating judge charged him with incitement to cause social chaos under articles 494 and 495 of the Criminal Code.