Khmer Krom: Activist Monk Dav Tep Resumes His Struggle After His Release
Photo Courtesy of Khmer Times
On 2 August 2017, former Kampuchea Krom Buddhist monk Dav Tep, who was convicted for his alleged drug abuse and death threats on grounds of fabricated evidence, was released after spending two years in jail. The well-known activist often participated in Kampuchea Krom protests and advocated on behalf of those involved in land and border disputes. After his re-ordination, he declared that his experience had not deterred him from involving himself in further activism, but instead constitutes an encouragement.
Below is an article published by the Khmer Times:
Former Khmer Kampuchea Krom Buddhist monk Dav Tep, who was sentenced to two years in prison for drug abuse and making a death threat, was released on Tuesday after serving his time.
Venerable Dav Tep, who often participated in Kampuchea Krom protests and visited the border demarcation between Cambodia and Vietnam, was arrested in August 2015 and later convicted by the Phnom Penh Municipal Court of drug possession and death threats.
After serving his sentence, he decided to immediately return to the Samaki Raingsey Pagoda in Phnom Penh yesterday morning and again be ordained as a monk.
After the ceremony, Venerable Dav Tep remained defiant, claiming he was locked up over his activism and was innocent of all convictions levelled against him.
“It was an injustice,” he said. “I just went to check the border posts in Ratanakkiri, Kandal and Svay Rieng province. After returning, unidentified people took the drugs to put in my room to set me up.”
Venerable Dav Tep added that his time in prison has not deterred him from partaking in further activism, but rather emboldened him.
