Cambodian Military Police Chief Orders Probe Into Alleged Obstruction of Forest Crime Case

PHNOM PENH, Cambodia (Nov. 27, 2025) — Gen. Sao Sokha, commander of the Gendarmerie and deputy commander-in-chief of the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces, has ordered a special inquiry into alleged obstruction by Kratie provincial military police in a forest crime investigation.

The move follows a whistleblower report that Kratie’s gendarmerie commander refused to cooperate and instead directed subordinates to question environmental activist Tan Kim Sour about his mission documents rather than address evidence of forest offenses.

According to the armed forces, the newly formed working group has authority to meet relevant institutions, summon commanders and soldiers for questioning, and collect information from individuals believed to be involved. Findings will be submitted to the national gendarmerie commander for review.

Sokha also instructed Maj. Gen. Sak Sarang, the Kratie provincial commander, to cooperate fully with efforts to combat forest crimes. Officials were told to take decisive action against illegal logging and related offenses.

Maj. Gen. Eng Hy, spokesperson for the National Gendarmerie, said he had spoken directly with the activist about the confrontation, which was widely shared on social media. He added that instructions had already been relayed to Sarang.

Hy said specialized security and intelligence units have been deployed to Kratie and are working on the ground to strengthen efforts to prevent and suppress forest crimes.