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Cambodia jails journalist Luot Sophal for 2 years over report on soldiers’ water shortages

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Cambodia jails journalist Luot Sophal for 2 years over report on soldiers’ water shortages

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Bangkok, July 21, 2026—The Committee to Protect Journalists condemns the two-year prison sentence given to Cambodian journalist Luot Sophal on incitement charges and calls for his immediate and unconditional release.

Sophal, a reporter with the independent local news site Srotop Yuvakvey, was convicted on July 14 by the Oddar Meanchey Provincial Court on charges of demoralizing the armed forces and incitement to commit a felony, according to multiple news reports.

The charges stemmed from his reporting on an alleged water shortage faced by frontline soldiers during border hostilities with Thailand.

His lawyer, Em Chantha, said he would discuss with Sophal whether to appeal the ruling, according to the reports.  

“Luot Sophal’s conviction is an outrage and should be reversed without delay,” said Shawn Crispin, CPJ’s senior Southeast Asia representative. “Cambodia must stop conflating public interest news reporting with criminal activity and stop jailing journalists for their coverage of the country’s conflict with Thailand.”

Sophal was arrested after publishing a video on his personal Facebook page on February 7 discussing the alleged water shortage and including a photograph of government leaders. While in custody, authorities ordered him to delete the post and apologize in a video.

Cambodian authorities have cracked down hard on reporters who have critically covered the country’s ongoing border conflict with Thailand since deadly fighting flared last year. Reporters Pheap Phara and Phon Sopheap are each serving 14-year prison sentences for treason over their conflict-related reporting.

CPJ and partners submitted a joint letter Friday to Prime Minister Hun Manet calling for the journalists’ release through amnesty.

Cambodia’s Ministry of Information did not immediately respond to CPJ’s emailed request for comment on Sophal’s conviction.

Cambodia is among Asia’s worst jailers of journalists, with at least six reporters held behind bars, according to CPJ’s data.  

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Global Free Speech

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