25 found guilty for roles in garment protests; sentences suspended
Twenty-five unionists, garment workers and bystanders were found guilty by the Phnom Penh Municipal Court on Friday for their involvement in three separate garment protest-related cases, but were handed down suspended sentences. The 22 men who had not been bailed ahead of trial were ordered released from prison. ... Presiding Judge Keo Mony acquitted six of the 10 arrested at Yakjin of the charges of aggravated property destruction, but upheld the charge of causing violence for all the men. He meted out sentences ranging from between two-and-a-half to four-and-a-half years in jail. Four of the men were handed fines of 8 million riel each. In the Veng Sreng courtroom, Presiding Judge Leang Samnath upheld all the charges but handed down suspended sentences of between one and four years to the defendants, one of whom was absent from the hearing. Down the hall, Presiding Judge Suos Sam Ath also upheld the charges of aggravated intentional violence, damage to public property, insulting civil servants and opposing civil servants. Men Sok Sambath, 15, had already been bailed and was told he was sentenced to time already served. Vanny Vannan, 19, was sentenced to three years including time served, which was immediately suspended. “It’s an injustice,” he said as he was led away. “I am innocent—I did not commit the crime as charged by the court.” ...
The Cambodia Daily
http://www.cambodiadaily.com/news/25-found-guilty-for-roles-in-garment-protests-sentences-suspended-60092/
