PHNOM PENH, Cambodia (AP) — A Cambodian labor union leader has been sentenced to 18 months in prison in connection with comments he made in a live broadcast on Facebook two years ago that criticized the arrest of a casino worker, an official of a local rights group said Wednesday. The Cambodian Labor Confederation said the case was aimed at intimidating labor unions. Morm Rithy, 35, a vice president of the confederation, was convicted by the Phnom Penh Municipal Court on Tuesday on charges of incitement to commit a felony and discrediting a judicial decision, said Am Sam Ath, operations director of Licadho, one of the few local groups actively monitoring Cambodia’s rights situation. The Cambodian government has long been accused of using the judicial system to persecute critics and political opponents. The government insists it promotes the rule of law under an electoral democracy, but political parties seen as mounting strong challenges to the ruling Cambodian Peoples Party have been dissolved by the courts or had their leaders jailed or harassed. |
Researchers enrich SW China regional climate history with tree ring dataRussia claims links of Crocus attackers with UkraineAt birthplace of Olympics, performers at flameSpring outing popular among Chinese people: surveyJiangsu continues supporting technological innovation of industriesRussia claims links of Crocus attackers with UkraineJess Glynne gushes her highExpansion club Bay FC edges Seattle Reign for first home win in NWSLMeet the Real Housewives star who spent £25m on a 1,000Saweetie and YG Marley look cozy as they put on a loved