Petrol station worker in court for slamming travel ban

A MAN who was arrested for criticising the government’s efforts to prevent the Covid-19 spread appeared in the Kampong Thom Provincial Court two days later.

Kampong Thom provincial police chief Ouk Kosal said on Wednesday that Lek Siengly, 21, a petrol station worker, was ordered to be held in pre-trial detention.

“He posted a video online which affected public order. The court charged him with incitement under Article 495 of the Criminal Code, ” he said.

Siengly faces six months imprisonment as well as a fine of up to four million riel (RM4,300) if found guilty.

Kosal said Siengly posted the video on Facebook at a petrol station in Kampong Thma commune, Santuk district.

The live video criticised the government for banning citizens from gatherings and travelling between provinces.

The accused said he lives in Triel commune, Taing Kouk district, in Kampong Thom province, but worked at the petrol station in Santuk district in the same province, he said.

Kampong Thom provincial police said the accused had posted the live video to incite people to not follow the government’s order. — Phnom Penh Post/ANN