Fact Check: Seng Sary has not been arrested yet
A few days ago, a Cambodian court has issued an arrest warrant for a Cambodian political analyst who was known as Dr. Seng Sary. The order came after the prime minister, Hun Sen, has made the announcement at the launch of the vaccination campaign of Covid-19 prevention for aged 6 to 12-year-olds at Peace Palace on September 17 2021 ago.
Meanwhile, a photo showing a Cambodian political commentary, Seng Sary, has been arrested was posted recently on Facebook. This photo is along with a caption stating the arrest became viral in Thailand.
This is about our investigation over this photo.
Social Media Claim
On September 20, 2021, one of Cambodian Facebook users posted a photo on a Facebook group called “ធាតុពិតនៅកម្ពុជា, THIS IS CAMBODIA” showing a Cambodian political commentary, Seng Sary, has been arrested. This post has been currently shared and reacted with mixed comments from many Cambodian Facebook users.
The following screenshot was captured from the Facebook post with a caption translated in English as “In Cambodia during the time of this one-party thief, the law is only on the lips of Vietnam and Hun Sen. All the laws are not clear, which is why the powerful, the rich and the law enforcers have the excuse to hurt the innocent, poor and weak people like this”.
Fact Check
Fact Crescendo Cambodia had started to check and verify this photo directly by running a Google Reverse Image search, which brought us to the sources containing the following original photos.
An exact photo was found on Alamy, which is a supplier of stock images, editorial photography, video, and music for businesses and consumers. This website also states in English as “Thai policemen escort American drug suspect Joseph Hunter, 48, as he arrives at Don Mueang International Airport in Bangkok September 27, 2013”.
The following snapshot from Alamy shows an American drug suspect being brought by the Thai police.
Alamy Stock Photo | Archived Link
According to the China Daily News website, which was published on September 27, 2013, shows a photo in the same format, this photo does not show the arrest of Dr. Seng Sary. This was factually, an American drug addict arrested in Thailand
Here is the screenshot photo of China Daily News Website, which depicts the arrest of American drug suspect by Thai Police.
China Daily News Report | Archived Link
On September 20, 2021, Cambodian prime minister, Hun Sen, posted a message on his official Facebook page which called for the court to stop the arrest warrant for Seng Sary.
A screenshot captured from the official Facebook page of the Cambodian prime minister appealing the court to stop issue an arrest warrant for Dr. Seng Sary.
Recently, RFA made an interview session with Dr. Seng Sary on-air as well on September 21, 2021. This came after a viral announcement from the Cambodian prime minister to stop issue the warrant.
RFA Khmer News | Archived Link
On September 21, 2021, the Phnom Penh Municipal Court also issued an order to stop an arrest warrant for Seng Sary, a political analyst, a day after a call from Prime Minister Hun Sen.
A screenshot ,captured from the VOD News website is pasted below.
VOD News Report | Archived Link
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Conclusion
Fact Crescendo Cambodia has found out that the photo attached with the claim above was altered before posting on social media. This photo factually was when Thai policemen escorted American drug suspect Joseph Hunter at Don Mueang International Airport in Bangkok on September 27, 2013. Also, a Cambodian political analyst, Seng Sary, has not been arrested either.
