Ouk Mao, an environmental journalist for online Intry Plus News who is facing more than 10 legal complaints, has been detained in Stung Treng provincial prison on charges of “incitement to commit crimes” and “public defamation”, said a Stung Treng Provincial Court spokesman today, May 20.

“He has been held in pre-trial detention since May 16. His case is in the investigative phase, so it hasn’t been determined yet whether he is guilty. He’s being held temporarily, pending further legal procedures,” added court spokesperson Chhum Seanghak.

Seanghak also reiterated that multiple complaints have been filed at the court.

Mao, 49, also an environmental activist, was reportedly arrested by three unidentified men at his home in Anlong Phe village and commune, in Thala Barivat district, on May 16, according to a May 19 statement from human rights organisation ADHOC.

One of the three men was wearing a military police uniform. They handcuffed Ouk Mao and took him away in a Lexus vehicle without stating the reason for his arrest or presenting a warrant.

“Seven hours later, at 7 PM the same day, Ouk Mao was sent to pre-trial detention at Stung Treng provincial prison, charged under Criminal Case No. 083 dated February 25, 2025, with incitement to commit crimes and public defamation,” added ADHOC.

The alleged offending reportedly occurred in May 2024 and February 2025, based on a summons issued by the provincial prosecutor on May 11. ADHOC lawyers have agreed to defend the case, at the request of Mao’s wife.

ADHOC suspects the arrest is linked to a May 13 interview Mao gave to a well-known Khmer-language outlet based overseas. During the interview, he spoke out about alleged corruption and a lack of justice and transparency in his case. He also said that certain environment officials had pressured him to issue a public apology, which he refused to do.

Mao is originally from Svay Teap village and commune, in Kampong Cham province’s Chamkar Leu district. Besides working as a farmer, he also serves as the Stung Treng provincial head of the Party for Cambodia, a political party.

ADHOC noted that Mao regularly spends his own time and money patrolling community forests, documenting the activities of illegal loggers and large-scale timber transporters — whom he claims are protected by powerful interests.

He frequently shared information, images of forest crimes and logging-related interviews with prominent domestic and international media outlets. These efforts earned him recognition from various communities as a bold environmental defender.

However, alongside his activism, Mao has faced more than 10 legal complaints, mostly from provincial officials. The main charges include incitement to commit serious crimes, illegal encroachment, clearing and burning forest land, and occupying forest territory, according to ADHOC.

In addition to his legal challenges, Mao has reportedly been repeatedly subjected to surveillance, threats and intimidation from powerful individuals and logging syndicates. On the night of March 24, 2023, unknown assailants set fire to his house, destroying it along with his Honda Dream motorbike and all of the belongings inside.

The Party for Cambodia also issued a public statement on May 17, objecting to his arrest.