"NagaWorld Strikers Protest Court’s Refusal to Release Union Leader on Bail", 6 December 2022

Dozens of protestors donned orange prison jumpsuits outside the NagaWorld casino Monday after the Phnom Penh municipal court denied bail to union leader Chhim Sithar.

“I regret that the investigating judge did not allow Sithar out of custody because she had not violated any procedures or prohibitions placed under the court’s jurisdiction,” said Am Sam Ath, operations director for human rights group Licadho, which provides Sithar with legal representation.

Police detained Sithar …, after she returned from a trip to Australia, on the grounds she had violated the terms of her bail for a previous arrest.

Sithar’s legal team will appeal the court’s decision, claiming the court had not issued an order barring Sithar from travel abroad before her trip, Sam Ath said.

But the court said Sithar was required to seek its permission before leaving Cambodian territory, according to a … statement.

… Sithar’s lawyer Sam Sokunthea declined to comment. Her other lawyer Sam Chamroeun confirmed the court’s refusal to release Sithar on bail but did not provide additional information…

The Australian embassy and the U.S. Department of State issued statements expressing concern about Sithar’s arrest and urging Cambodian authorities to find a solution to the nearly one year long NagaWorld dispute…