Cambodian journalist Ouk Mao arrested amid crackdown on environmental activism

Cambodian authorities have arrested journalist Ouk Mao, known for his environmental reporting, after he exposed a land grab by a mining company with political connections in northern Cambodia. The arrest, carried out without a warrant, marks another step in Cambodia’s crackdown on independent journalism and environmental activism.

According to Reporters Without Borders (RSF), Mao, aged 49, was arrested on Friday by plainclothes military officers who took him to the military police headquarters in Stung Treng province. The arrest, described as a violation of press freedom, occurred without any formal warrant.

Mao’s wife, Ek Cheat, informed environmental news outlet Mongabay that three plainclothes officers conducted the arrest, stating that “their boss wanted to speak to Mao about a piece of land.”

Mao works for Intri Plus News, an online platform focused on governance, corruption, and environmental issues, with a significant following on Facebook.

RSF described the arrest as an “escalation of a longstanding campaign of judicial persecution” against Mao, tracing back to mid-2024.

At that time, he began reporting on illegal logging by Lin Vatey, a mining company allegedly linked to powerful Cambodian officials and their families.

The company has been granted control over a significant portion of the Phnom Chum Rok Sat community forest, disrupting Indigenous-led ecotourism projects.

In September 2024, Mao was charged with deforestation and incitement, charges that could result in up to 10 years of imprisonment. Despite not being detained, Mao was placed under judicial supervision, requiring him to regularly report to the police. His next court appearance was scheduled for 20 May 2025, raising suspicions that his arrest may be linked to these prior charges.

Despite these legal pressures, Mao continued his investigative work, focusing on illegal logging in the Prey Lang Wildlife Sanctuary. In March 2025, while documenting these activities, he was attacked by a group that allegedly included a former police officer. Part of the assault was recorded on video.

In addition to the existing charges, Mao also faces accusations of defamation and incitement filed by the Ministry of Environment in February 2025. In total, RSF reports that Mao is facing 14 charges related to his environmental journalism.

Broader crackdown on environmental activism

The arrest of Ouk Mao follows a broader crackdown on environmental activists and journalists in Cambodia, particularly under the government of Prime Minister Hun Manet.

Human rights organisations have reported increasing repression, as the government no longer heavily relies on Western aid, which previously mandated good governance.

In July 2024, ten members of the environmental group Mother Nature Cambodia received lengthy prison sentences for allegedly insulting the king and plotting to overthrow the government.

In November, the prominent activist Ouch Leng and five others were detained while investigating illegal logging in the Veun Sai-Siem Pang National Park.

In December 2024, journalist Chhoeung Chheng was fatally shot while reporting on illegal deforestation in the Boeung Per Wildlife Sanctuary.

The following month, British journalist Gerald Flynn, a Mongabay correspondent, had his visa revoked and was permanently banned from the country due to his environmental reporting.

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