Mech Dara, an award-winning Cambodian journalist who spearheaded the investigation and reporting of cyber slavery and corruption in Cambodia was recently arrested and charged with incitement. The BBC reports that activists fear his arrest is emblematic of the Cambodian government’s ongoing efforts to silence critical voices on issues like modern slavery.  

“We got him” 

Mech Dara is one of Cambodia’s most prominent journalists. Last year he was honored by US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken for his fearless and groundbreaking work exposing online scam operations based in the jungles of Cambodia. 

Dara was traveling with a relative when six cars pulled up alongside them. One of the officers said, “We got him,” and they arrested him.  

Dara’s relative, who is also a journalist and wishes to remain anonymous told the BBC, 

“The authorities didn’t show us any official arrest warrant or court papers. I’ve lost hope, I’m so concerned about practicing journalism in Cambodia now,”  

He was allowed to send one text. Then his phone was taken away. For the next 24 hours, no one knew anything about what had happened to him or where he had been taken. He finally appeared in court in the capital Phnom Penh where he was charged with incitement to commit a felony. Dara was last reported as being at a pre-trial detention facility.  

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