Court Opens Hearing Against Beehive Radio Owner

Amid tight security and crowds of protesters Tuesday, Phnom Penh Municipal Court opened a hearing against Beehive Radio owner Mam Sonando, who is facing charges he tried to lead a secessionist movement against the government. Mam Sonando, 71, whose Beehive Radio is one of the few independent broadcast media outlets in the country, testified on his own behalf, in a sweeping case with nearly 100 witnesses. Riot police kept demonstrating supporters about 200 meters away from the court, as it began the highly charged hearing. Many of the demonstrators came from the Association of Democrats. Others were ousted residents the Boeung Kak and Borei Keila development projects. VOA Khmer's Heng Reaksmey and Say Money report from Phnom Penh.