(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.

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.

A journalist honored by the U.S. State Department for exposing an online scam center in Cambodia has been arrested by Cambodian military police. The Telegraph reports authorities arrested Mech Dara on Monday at a checkpoint while he was in his car with his family.

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.

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",

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

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.