human rights defender

Koet Saray

Actions and Campaigns

Urgent support needed

Legal assistance and humanitarian support

Organization affiliation

  • Khmer Student Intelligent League Association (“KSILA”)

HRD's year of birth

1992

HRD's Gender

Man

Type of HRD

  • NGO member

HRD's thematic area of engagement

  • Civil and political rights
  • Economic, social and cultural rights
  • Environmental rights

HRD's geographical origin

Urban

Current Status

In prison (sentenced)

HRD's bio and work

Mr. Koet Saray, born in Soutr Nikum District, Siem Reap Province, began his career as a monk and later pursued law studies. While at university, he engaged in natural resources and human rights protection activities. In 2018, he joined the Mother Nature Movement, advocating for sustainable development and human rights. In early 2020, he co-founded the Khmer Thavrak Youth Group to promote human rights and social justice.

Saray is the Director of the Khmer Student Intelligent League Association (KSILA), which focuses on education, capacity building, and the promotion of democracy, human rights, and environmental protection.

In September 2020, Saray was arrested for planning a peaceful demonstration, resulting in charges of incitement and imprisonment. Despite these challenges, he remains committed to defending human rights and encourages others to strive for social change.

Human Rights Defender Profile: https://bit.ly/4eHHhmL

Detained since

Apr 5, 2024

Charge(s)

  • Creating disturbances
  • Other

Sentence

Four years in prison for Committing a misdemeanor after sentencing for a misdemeanor and incitement to disturb social security under article 88 articles 494 and 495.

Latitude: 11.557900560316286

Longitude: 104.73238975595758

Geolocation of detention

Country or area of detention

Region of detention

  • Asia: South-eastern Asia

Location of detention - City/Town

Phnom Penh

Location of detention - Facility

Correctional Center 1 in Phnom Penh

Recent case update / evolution

In November 2024, Koet Saray was sentenced to four years in prison for Committing a misdemeanor after sentencing for a misdemeanor and incitement to disturb social security under article 88 articles 494 and 495. On 26 January 2026, the Phnom Penh Court of Appeal upheld the conviction of Koet Saray. On 3 July 2026, the Supreme Court issued a final verdict upholding Saray's conviction, meaning he must serve his full four-year sentence in prison. By the time of this final ruling, Saray had spent nearly 27 months behind bars.

Any other relevant documents

Social media campaign to call for unconditional release and drop charges against Koet Saray: FB link

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