Rights Worker Questioned in Ongoing Secessionist Crackdown

Chan Soveth, a prominent rights investigator, appeared before the Phnom Penh Municipal Court on Monday, but he was not detained. Chan Soveth has been charged with abetting the escape of several suspects in a security crackdown in Kratie province earlier this year. Police say he helped several men escape who were wanted in connection with an alleged secessionist plot that has already landed a prominent radio station owner, Mam Sonando, in jail. Chan Soveth, who was accompanied to the court by officials from the US Embassy, was released after questioning. He briefly told journalists afterward that it was unclear what would happen next, but that he would appeal to have the charges against him dropped. (VOA Khmer's Heng Reaksmey/Say Mony, Phnom Penh)