An Edited Photo of a Gunman Standing Before a Prison Goes Viral
Following a court order for the detention of a gunman responsible for the tragic deaths of a young couple and two others in the Chbar Ampov district last week, a photo displaying the former tycoon standing with his hands cuffed gained wide circulation on social media. The dissemination of the photo on social platforms has resulted in criticism of the police's handling of the gunman. However, Fact Crescendo Cambodia has determined that the image was digitally manipulated.
SOCIAL MEDIA CALIM
A photo of former tycoon Srey Sina standing in front of the prison with both hands untied has been published by some local media outlets and has been widely circulated on social media in recent days.
This photo has garnered significant attention and generated numerous comments from Khmer-speaking Facebook users, many of whom believe that the photo depicts a genuine event.
However, the photo has also faced criticism from Cambodian social media users. Some have expressed the view that the former tycoon, who reportedly shot and killed a young couple and injured two others, appeared to be in a more favorable position than individuals from poorer backgrounds and those involved in less serious criminal activities. It has been suggested that he received preferential treatment due to his status as a human rights and environmental activist.
The full story posted on Facebook on June 23, 2024, is as follows: "Former tycoon Srey Sina has arrived at the first correctional center."
In addition to the previous NP, the photo was also shared on VOA's official Facebook page along with its report, leading to further sharing by netizens and social media users.
Furthermore, DAP NEWS has featured this image in its report over the past week.
The article linked to this image was later posted on the media outlet’s official Facebook page on the evening of June 23, 2024.
In addition to the above press releases, the same image was also shared by numerous Facebook users and received mixed reactions, including criticisms of the Cambodian justice system for its bias.
This image may be found on social media and posted by other Facebook users through the following link Link 1 (archived), Link 2 (archived), Link 3 (archived), Link 4 (archived), Link 5 (archived), Link 6 (archived), Link 7 (archived), Link 8 (archived)។
FACT CHECK
Fact Crescendo Cambodia verified this photo using Google Reverse Image Search and uncovered the following details.
While conducting the verification process using Google Reverse Image Search, we found high-quality photos and a press release from the Cambodian Government Spokesperson's Office. The press release stated that the photos mentioned earlier were cropped.
An original photo, which was posted on the official Facebook page of the Government Spokesperson's Office, shows gunman Srey Sina wearing a green shirt and standing in front of the 1st Correctional Center with both hands handcuffed.
The Government Spokesperson Unit shared a post on its Facebook page containing clarifications from the Ministry of Interior's spokesperson.
Fact Crescendo Cambodia discovered a news video on the Ministry of Interior's official Facebook page, stating that the photo showing the gunman Sina standing with her hand in her pants pocket in front of the prison is a doctored image.
Deputy spokesperson for the Ministry of Interior, Touch Sokak, confirmed that the accurate photo showed former tycoon Srey Sina in civilian clothes standing in front of the prison with both hands handcuffed.
By looking at both, we found a point that could distinguish between a cross-sectional image and a real-life one of a handcuffed gunman.
CONCLUSION
Fact Crescendo Cambodia found that the photo of the gunman, Srey Sina, standing with his hands pockets in front of the First Correctional Center, was altered. The real photo shows the gunman in civilian clothes standing in front of the 1st Correctional Center with both hands handcuffed.
Title:An Edited Photo of a Gunman Standing Before a Prison Goes Viral
Written By: Jay UdomResult: Altered
