The Koh Kong court sentenced 10 land activists to a year’s imprisonment and ordered them to compensate tycoon Heng Huy $10,000 for malicious denunciation and incitement.

According to human rights group Licadho, one of the activists received a suspended sentence, while three others are already in prison.

Licadho said the sentencing on Tuesday afternoon (August 15) came amid a series of arrest warrants and court convictions against Koh Kong land activists in recent weeks.

It named the 10 people convicted on Thursday as Chhan Chheurn, Det Huor, Erb Vy, Erp Teung, Heng Chey, Inn Thou, Kert Nov, Kong Men, Puo Houn and Sok Chey.

They received one year in prison each and were together ordered to pay Heng Huy 40 million riel for malicious denunciation and incitement to disturb social security, Licadho said.

Det Huor, Heng Chey and Sok Chey were arrested on June 29 when they traveled to Phnom Penh to file a petition. Erb Vy received a fully suspended sentence. No arrest warrants were issued for the six others, who are expected to remain out of prison pending appeals.

Around 60 community members gathered at the court to support the activists during the Thursday sentencing, Licadho said.

The case relates to a long-standing dispute with Heng Huy Sugar, which has allegedly encroached on nearly 200 families’ land since 2007 in Sre Ambel district’s Chi Khor Krom and Chi Khor Loeu communes.