(Reuters) -A Cambodian court on Tuesday charged an investigative reporter known for exposing corruption and human trafficking, and whose arrest drew concern from rights groups and the U.S. government, with "inciting social unrest", meaning he may face two years in prison.

A Cambodian freelance reporter noted for his bold investigative reporting in a country with limited press freedom has been arrested

Mech Dara, an award-winning Cambodian journalist who has reported extensively on human trafficking and corruption, has been arrested and charged with incitement. Dara, who has reported for the BBC, has been charged over five social media posts which could "incite social unrest",

The authorities did not give a reason for the action, but it came after the United States punished a tycoon for what it said was his role in the scam compounds.

Cambodian military police said on Tuesday they have arrested an award-winning reporter known for investigating local corruption, trafficking and online scam centres, prompting concern from a prominent human rights group and the United States.

An award-winning journalist known for his investigative reports on human trafficking has been arrested in Cambodia in a further blow to its press freedoms. Mech Dara was travelling with his family from the coastal city of Sihanoukville to the capital Phnom Penh when authorities stopped his car and arrested him,