"Union Leader Chea Chan’s Guilty Verdict Quashed, Walks Out A Free Man After Six Months In Jail", 22 August 2024

Phnom Penh Appeal Court has overturned the trial court’s guilty verdict of Wing Star Shoes union president Chea Chan, who has served six months in jail. Chan was arrested without a court warrant … after his factory filed a complaint following his election as union leader.

Khun Leang Meng, a spokesperson of Phnom Penh Appeal Court, said the higher court had overturned Chea Chan’s conviction.

“The Phnom Penh Court of Appeal overturned Chea Chan’s theft sentence,” he added.

Chan was sentenced to one year in prison by the Kampong Speu provincial court … after being charged with being an accomplice to theft. But he had already been sent to prison …, he had spent a total of six months there…

Chan was jubilant after the decision, saying that it was just. The lower court ruling was unfair, because “I didn’t commit any crime”. He was also thankful to his stakeholders who helped him attain justice from the day he was arrested…

“There was inadequate care provided. They gave the same medicine even though I had a different illness,” he added.

… Yang Sophorn, president of Cambodian Alliance of Trade Union (CATU) confirmed … that the appeal court hearing … had decided to release Chan from prison…

Sophorn said although Chan is free now, it was not fair that he had to spend six months in prison as he did not commit any crime.

… Regarding Chan’s imprisonment, Japanese sportswear company ASICS expressed their concern …, acknowledging the gravity of the situation, and assured their commitment to uphold labor rights and fair labor practices within the ASICS supply chain…