bodyType

customContents

entityId

entityUuid

articlePageQuery

filter

article

articleBaseAdvertisingInfoArticle

articleListArticle

articleSeoArticle

hooksArticleAcknowledgementGateOverlayArticle

hooksTrackPageViewArticle

hooksContentInterestArticle

articleLinkingDataContent

hooksAmpRedirectArticle

articleSchemaContent

liveArticle

advertZone

sentiment

contentLock

topics

types

sections

paywallTypes

createdDate

publishedDate

sponsorType

urlAlias

moreOnThisArticles

commentCount

authorLocations

authors

corrections

displaySlideShow

multimediaEmbed

printHeadline

seriesContainer

articleSpeeches

socialHeadline

headline

images

flag

firstTopic

glossary

flattenTypeIds

image

relatedLinks

relatedNewsletters

__typename

sponsor

pdfFiles

seriesReverseOrder

series

disableOffPlatformContent

published

updatedDate

summary

subHeadline

body

keywords

readingTime

customTimezone

liveContents

Agence France-Presse

Cambodian police have appealed for Interpol's help to arrest a Facebook user who allegedly posted a doctored photo of Prime Minister Hun Sen's wife to damage her “honour and dignity”, a government official said on Tuesday.
It is the latest attempt to control social media in the kingdom, despite efforts by Hun Sen to ramp up his own online persona as he bids to extend a 31-year hold on power.
The photo, which briefly went viral before the Facebook account was apparently taken down, showed a holidaying Hun Sen in casual clothes posing with his grandchildren and wife Bun Rany.
She is seen smiling, in sunglasses and three-quarter length trousers, but is standing with her legs apart.
READ MORE: ‘Like’ me, ‘like’ me: Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen woos youth vote online
That stance is considered deeply inappropriate in conservative Cambodia, where women are expected to pose demurely with their legs together.
Authorities say the holiday snap was taken from Hun Sen's Facebook page, doctored and shared to denigrate Bun Rany by another user “Haknuman Leung”.
“The act damages the honour and dignity of the First Lady of a nation,” General Khieu Sopheak, spokesman for the Ministry of Interior, said.
Police have identified the poster as a Cambodian “who lives overseas” and have issued an arrest warrant, he added.
“We are working with Interpol to issue a Red Notice for the person,” he said.
That notice is the highest alert to Interpol member states to find and arrest a suspect, with a view to extradition, and is normally reserved for serious criminals.
An enraged Hun Sen blamed opposition “extremists” for the photo.
The incident comes as Hun Sen belatedly embraces social media to court votes from the kingdom’s youth, many of whom support the opposition.
The premier recently launched a mobile app and a website in addition to his Facebook page – which has harvested nearly two million ‘likes’ since September.
While Hun Sen has said he is open to constructive criticism, he has warned Facebook users who insult him that they can be easily traced.
A young man has been charged with issuing death threats to the premier in a Facebook post on Hun Sen’s page.
Last year, a 25-year-old student was also arrested over an alleged Facebook post calling for a “colour revolution” in the country.


Cambodians lose homes as Thailand makes gains following clashes

Thailand border threat pushes Cambodia to ratify UN sea treaty after over 40 years

Why China was so keen to get to alleged cybercrime boss Chen Zhi first

Thai ruling party courts voters by vowing to end Cambodia conflict, close scam hubs

Hun Sen

Cambodia appeals to Interpol over Facebook ‘slur’ on Prime Minister Hun Sen’s wife

TO GO WITH STORY: Cambodia-politics-Internet-mass-media, FEATURE by SUY This photo taken on January 7, 2016 shows Cambodian Prime Minister and president of the Cambodian People's Party (CPP) Hun Sen (R) and his wife Bun Rany (L) greeting supporters during a CPP ceremony marking the 37th anniversary of the fall of the Khmer Rouge regime in Phnom Penh. Looking more avuncular than authoritarian, Hun Sen crouches for selfie with a group of young scouts -- part of a social media blitz selling the strongman's cuddlier side as he seeks to extend a 30-year grip on power. AFP PHOTO / TANG CHHIN SOTHY

Cambodian Prime Minister and president of the Cambodian People's Party (CPP) Hun Sen (R) and his wife Bun Rany (left). Photo: AFP

News

Asia

Southeast Asia

Cambodia appeals to Interpol over Facebook ‘slur’ on Prime Minister Hun Sen’s wife

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}