Tan Kimsour, a well-known forest protection activist, has been summoned by the Kratie Provincial Court’s prosecutor office to provide clarification in a case involving the transportation of forest products without a permit.
Oeun Samol, Deputy Prosecutor of the Kratie Provincial Court, reiterated that he has not been summoned as a suspect but as a witness.
In a July 1 letter, which went viral on social media today, July 15, Samol invited Kimsour, president of the Nature Lovers Youth Association, to appear at the court on July 31,at 8.30am.
The letter explained that the purpose of the summons is “to provide clarification before us regarding the case of transporting forest products and by-products without a permit, which occurred in Russei Keo village, Russei Keo commune, Prek Prasop district, Kratie province, on March 3, 2025.”
Samol told The Post today that Kimsour was one of several individuals who witnessed the offense. Therefore, the court has summoned him to provide clarification as a witness, not as a suspect.
He noted that the summons letter has caused public misunderstanding, with some believing Kimsour is a suspect.
The Post was unable to contact Kimsour for further clarification this morning.
However, he posted a message on Facebook, explaining that he has been voluntarily working in the environmental sector since 2018. He said he understands this work well and has faced various challenges.
“This work affects the interests of others, but I remain determined to move forward because many of our people continue to provide encouragement. I don’t care what fate awaits me in the future because I love nature and care about it,” he posted.
“If I face problems to the point of being convicted because I have shown genuine honesty and concern for our nation’s priceless natural resources, I am willing to accept it. From the beginning, I have never been concerned about myself,” he added, in a separate post.
On March 4, he posted a video which showed a truck transporting timber that he said was illegally felled. He added that it was the work of a notorious businessman in Kratie province, but did not name the individual responsible.
