An award-winning Cambodian journalist arrested for inciting social unrest asked for bail on Thursday, his lawyer said, a day after the government released a video of the investigative journalist apologizing.
Mech Dara, known for denouncing corruption and human trafficking through his reporting, was in pre-trial detention since October 1and faces up to two years in prison. His arrest sparked concern among human rights groups and the U.S. government.
In its October 1 ruling, the Phnom Penh Municipal Court said Dara, who has worked for local and international media, had posted “provocative” and “false” messages and photos about a rock quarry on a mountain sacred.
Dara’s lawyer, Duch Piseth, said the bail application had been made but it was too early to say whether the charges would be dropped.
“We are just waiting for his release,” he said.
On Wednesday, Cambodia’s information minister shared with reporters a video of Dara wearing a prison costume and apologizing. It was accompanied by images of a three-page handwritten letter which the minister said came from the journalist.
“In all the messages I posted, I conveyed false information that damaged the country’s leadership and reputation. I sincerely apologize for my mistakes and promise to stop sharing such harmful content.” , Dara said in the video.
Dara received a hero award from US Secretary of State Antony Blinken last year, recognizing her work exposing the existence of massive fraud schemes staffed primarily by trafficked workers in Cambodia.
