(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.

Mr Dara was handed the Hero Award in 2023 by US secretary of state Antony Blinken for his investigations into massive scam compounds staffed mostly by trafficked workers in Cambodia. He was arrested after sharing posts on social media about a rock quarry. Local officials claimed on Monday his work was an attempt to foment dissent in the country.

Cambodian independent journalist Mech Dara, known for his reporting on human trafficking, was recently arrested by military police. Reporters Without Borders (RSF) calls on the Cambodian authorities to release him immediately and to end their policy of systematically persecuting reporters.

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.

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.