Kandal Province, August 16, 2025 — The Kandal Provincial Court has ordered the temporary detention of Chheng Sreyrath, popularly known as Love Riya, on charges related to inciting discrimination and undermining military morale. The court’s decision follows her arrest earlier today by local authorities in accordance with legal procedures.

According to an official press release from the Kandal Provincial Court and Prosecutor’s Office, the case stems from social media activities conducted by Love Riya, a prominent figure in the local beauty and skincare industry. On August 6, 2025, she used her TikTok account, under the handle Oknha Chheng Sreyrath loverya999, to upload a video in which she claimed to have fulfilled her patriotic duties by speaking to the nation and addressing concerns involving the Cambodian army. The video included allegations that disparaged the military and questioned their efforts, stating: 

"As a Cambodian citizen, I have fulfilled my duties for the nation since before the incident, speaking to the nation, reaching our Cambodian army in every region, every corner, whether it is the front line or any other area, such as Ta Moan Toch Temple, Ta Moan Thom Temple, and all three areas. It was because of my presence that my parents went out to protect me. And there was already a fight inside, when I was fighting, I knew everything, I saw everything, but I couldn’t tell my parents who were Cambodian citizens who didn’t know or understand, and there was only insults and slander all over social media. Now the time is approaching, I will add my voice and tell everything, and the next day I will tell even more."

Additionally, between August 6 and August 13, 2025, Love Riya live-streamed on her official Facebook account, where she openly expressed her discontent with her commercial activities, stating, "I brought it for sale, I still brought it for sale, and you have the right to buy or not buy it…"

On August 14, 2025, her activities attracted the attention of law enforcement agencies. The Kandal Provincial Police arrested her at her residence in Borey ML, Kampong Sanhanh Village 1, Kampong Sanhanh Sangkat, Takhmao City, in a coordinated operation involving the provincial police and the prosecutor’s office. Following her detention, she was transferred to the Kandal Provincial Police headquarters for interrogation.  

The investigation revealed that her social media posts and live-streaming activities constituted a violation of laws related to inciting discrimination and harming national security. The Kandal Provincial Court and Prosecutor’s Office confirmed that her actions were detrimental to the morale of Cambodian soldiers on the front lines and distressed citizens supporting national unity and sovereignty.  

As a result, on August 15, 2025, the Kandal Provincial Court, after reviewing the evidence, officially charged Chheng Sreyrath, age 40, Cambodian nationality, with two criminal offenses under Articles 472 and 496 of the Criminal Code: inciting discrimination and damaging the morale of soldiers. The court’s investigation concluded that her actions took place at her residence and various locations around Takhmao City on August 6 and 13, 2025.  

Furthermore, the court accepted the case under Criminal Case No. 1739 and ordered her to be temporarily detained at Kandal Provincial Prison to ensure ongoing investigation and legal proceedings in accordance with Cambodian law.  

The case highlights the government’s stance on maintaining national unity, security, and respect for the military and public institutions. Officials have emphasized that legal actions are being conducted transparently and in accordance with established legal procedures.