"Rong Chhun’s lawyer appeals conviction and sentencing of unionist", 27 August 2021

The lawyer for union leader Rong Chhun and two other activists filed an appeal on Wednesday against Phnom Penh Municipal Court’s conviction on incitement charges…

“We appealed to the Appeal Court through the Municipal Court …,” Sam Sokong, the lawyer for Chhun and activists Sar Kanika and Ton Nimol, told ... “We want the Appeal Court to rescind the Municipal Court’s decision and we request the Appeal Court to drop the charge, meaning they acquit them.”

He said that the municipal court’s decision did not provide justice for his clients. Sokong said that he met with his clients at the prison … and they approved the appeal.

…, the Phnom Penh Municipal Court sentenced union leader Chhun to two years in prison on incitement charges for comments ... Activists Kanika and Nimol were both sentenced to 20 months in prison on charges of incitement to cause social disorder for having publicly called for the imprisoned unionist’s release.

… Ny Sokha, president of rights group Adhoc, said that defendants have the right to appeal and the case against Chhun appeared weak.

“There were many comments from national and international NGOs and people understand that Rong Chhun did not commit what the court’s decision [said],” said Sokha.

… Am Sam Ath, deputy director of rights group Licadho, noted that many national and international organizations, as well as UN human right experts, criticized the Rong Chhun case...