Hang Serei Odom

Hang Serei Odom (also known as Hang Serei Oudom) (1970 – 11 September 2012), was a Cambodian journalist for the Virakchun Khmer Daily newspaper in the Ou Chum district of northeastern Ratanakiri province of Cambodia, was involved in environmental reporting about illegal logging when he was murdered.

Odom was the first reporter in Cambodia since 2008 to be killed while reporting or for his reporting.

Career During his time working for the Virakchun Khmer Daily newspaper, Hang Serei Odom was known for reporting on stories that involved illegal logging activities. Hang Serei Odom was fearless in the way that he wrote about the luxury wood industry in his hometown. His stories reportedly had a negative impact on the businesses of many of the connected powerful officials in Cambodia, which is ultimately what led to his death.

Death Hang Serei Odom was found in the trunk of his own car which was parked at a cashew plantation in the Ranatakir province of Cambodia on 11 September 2012. His wife reported him missing after he did not return from a meeting. He was found with two ax-wounds to his head, one in the back of the head and one in the forehead.

Odom's murder was used to threaten other Cambodian journalists. Afterwards, journalist Ek Sokunthy was threatened by someone who had asked him if he knew about Odom's murder.

Context Mr. Odom was frequently reported on illegal logging activity in the Ratanakiri Province in Cambodia. In his last article, published on 6 September 2012, he alleged that Keng Sanglao, the son of Provincial Military Police Chief Kem Raksmey, was involved in the illicit timber trade and that military vehicles were used to transport illegally cut logs. Like many other journalists in this area, Hang Serei Odom was concerned about the dwindling land reserves in their home town. The United Nations reports that in 20 years Cambodia's forest has shrunk from 73 percent to 57 percent. Journalists also face other forms of intimidation. Mam Sonando, a radio journalist, was imprisoned as a result of his reporting on the issue. Less than a month after Odam was killed, Ek Sokunthy, a newspaper reporter, was beaten after receiving threats for reporting about illegal reporting. Press freedom groups say that journalists are being intimidated by the killings, violence and threats of imprisonment.

Reactions Irina Bokova, director-general of UNESCO, said, "This is the first murder of a journalist in Cambodia in a long time and I trust that the Cambodian authorities will do all in their power to bring those responsible for this crime to justice. Crimes against media personnel must be brought to justice to prevent a climate of fear from constricting journalists' ability to claim their human and professional right to freedom of expression." Cambodian journalist Khim Sambo was the last journalist to be killed in 2008, according to the Cambodian Center for Human Rights and the Southeast Asian Press Alliance.

Ramana Sorn, who represents the Cambodian Center for Human Rights, said Odam's and Chutty's murders are threats to other journalists who attempt to expose illegal logging in Cambodia.

Investigation In September 2012, military officer An Bunheng (a subordinate of Kem Raksmey) and his wife "Vy" were arrested in connection with the murder investigation after the victim's shoes were allegedly found in the couple's home. In 2013, a judge dismissed the charges against the pair, citing a lack of evidence. Environmental and human rights activists criticized the decision.