Cambodian Man Jailed For Three Years For Insulting King On Facebook

A Cambodian court jailed a man on Wednesday for three years for insulting the king in Facebook posts, the second known conviction under a new lese majeste law enacted last year, which rights groups fear could be used to stifle dissent.

"The court announced a verdict against Ieng Cholsa which sentenced him to 3 years in prison and ordered him to pay five million riels ($1,250)," Phnom Penh Municipal Court spokesman Y Rin said.

The Facebook posts, which the court found had insulted King Norodom Sihamoni, were uploaded in June last year, Y Rin said.


Facebook did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The defendant could not be reached for comment and the court did not say whether he had a lawyer.