Activists decry detention of Cambodian monk

Australia Network News, May 24, 2012 

Human rights group Licardho says the detention of the Cambodian Buddhist monk is unjustified. [AFP: File]

Human rights activists have criticised the detention of a Buddhist monk in Cambodia.

The Phnom Penh Post reports authorities detained award-winning human rights activist Loun Savath after he took photos of protesting villagers outside a court in the capital.

Naly Pilorge from human rights group Licardho has told Radio Australia she has spoken with the monk.

She says his detention is unjustified.

"We don't know if they will proceed to defrock him but if they do then the police and the courts can then pursue him on civil or criminal charges," she said.

"All of us believe that there's absolutely no basis for them to hold venerable Loun Savath, he did nothing he was just standing there."