"Cambodian authorities release labor union leader in surprise move", 12 November 2021

Cambodian authorities freed a detained Cambodian labor union leader and two fellow labor activists … after an appeals court upheld parts of their convictions while releasing them for time served for other charges, rights groups and activists said…

“I, Rong Chhun, have returned to see you again,” he told a crowd of about 200 supporters outside Prey Sar Prison on the outskirts of Cambodia's capital Phnom Penh, where he was serving his sentence.

“We must walk toward freedom. We must seek democracy for our country. Even though I was jailed more than a year, I have always stayed with you,” said Rong Chhun.

“The prison can’t break activists and people’s spirits,” he said. “When we are not afraid they will stop arresting us. We must maintain our courage for the sake of freedom, our rights and democracy.”

Rong Chhun … had parts of their sentences for incitement suspended, according to the Cambodian human rights organization Licadho.

The Phnom Penh Appeals Court did not say why it decided to drop the other charges against the three, who will be on probation and face restrictions on their travel and activities for two years…