Journalist Arrested for Exposing Human Trafficking and Crypto Scams

An acclaimed journalist recognized for exposing human trafficking and cryptocurrency scams in Cambodia has been detained by the country's military police.

Mech Dara was arrested on charges of “incitement to disturb social security” due to social media posts about a pagoda damaged by quarrying.

His posts were criticized by local authorities and labeled “fake news” by a government-affiliated outlet. Following his arrest, he was taken to Kandal provincial prison.

Dara was apprehended while traveling with his family and managed to inform the human rights group Licadho about his situation before his phone was confiscated. Licadho’s co-director called for his release, emphasizing the importance of his work in highlighting human trafficking and corruption.

In 2022, he received a Hero Award from the US Secretary of State for his investigative reporting, which uncovered that up to 100,000 migrant workers were victims of scams in Cambodia.

This month, the US also sanctioned Cambodian politician Ly Yong Phat for serious human rights abuses linked to forced labor in online scams.