Cambodian union leader Morm Rithy has appealed to the public for financial support to help him pay a court fine ordered by the Phnom Penh Municipal Court.
Morm Rithy, president of the Cambodian Tourism and Service Workers Federation, appealed on his personal social media account on May 15. He also posted a court notice requiring him to pay the fine before June 8, 2026.
The notice warned that if he failed to pay by the deadline, the court could issue an enforcement order and detain him under legal procedures.
Morm Rithy was imprisoned at Prey Sar prison in 2024 after he was charged and convicted of incitement under articles 494, 495, and 523 of Cambodia’s Criminal Code. The case followed a complaint by Jin Bei Group, a Chinese-owned company.
He served 18 months in prison and was released after completing his sentence, but has not yet paid the court fine.
Morm Rithy said he is now living in a rented home. His wife sells kuy teav noodles for a living, while he helps serve customers. He said his family is also struggling with bank loans and informal debts of nearly $20,000, while supporting four children who are still in school.
He said the family’s debts grew during the 18 months he was in prison, when they had little income to cover daily living costs.
In 2025, the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project published a report on the owners of the Jin Bei casino in Sihanoukville. The report linked the casino owners’ wealth to allegations of online fraud and money laundering. In February 2026, Cambodia’s Commercial Gambling Management Commission announced the suspension and revocation of licences for five casinos, including Jin Bei casino.