[2] Dara previously worked for Cambodian newspapers The Cambodia Daily and The Phnom Penh Post, both of which were shut down by the government.
[3][4][5][6][7] He also reported for Voice of Democracy radio and website, which was shut down by the government in 2023.
[3][11] Dara's arrest was condemned by the US State Department and the US Embassy in Phnom Penh.
[12][13] The Committee to Protect Journalists' senior Southeast Asia representative Shawn Crispin denounced the charges.
[14] He was released on bail on 24 October after he appeared to have made a public apology to Prime Minister Hun Manet and his father and predecessor Hun Sen.[15] On 5 November, he said that he would quit journalism and work as a farmer instead.