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. |
Xinhua Headlines: Xi, Biden Hold Historic Summit, Charting Course for Improving Bilateral TiesXinhua Headlines: Xi, Biden Hold Historic Summit, Charting Course for Improving Bilateral TiesChinese dancer pursues dream on wheelsArt education on displayChina, Singapore to implement 30New Suzhou Youth Symphony Orchestra establishedShanghai company completes world's first delivery of 'air taxi'Delicacies from home and abroad gather at CICPEScenery of UNESCO World Heritage sites in AlbaniaIn pics: archaeological site of Shuomen ancient port in E China's Zhejiang