Well-known Cambodian investigative journalist released on bail

TA KHMAU, Cambodia (AP) — A Cambodian investigative reporter charged with a crime after exposing online fraud and corruption was released on bail Thursday.

Mech Dara He told reporters from a car outside the Kandal provincial prison complex, south of the capital Phnom Penh, that he had a minor health problem. He looked tired and deathly pale as he spoke and said: “Thank you all for helping me and supporting me.”

The freelance journalist was released at the request of his lawyer in the Phnom Penh Municipal Court.

Mech Dara told reporters that he would still have to take the case to court in the future. Folding his hands in greeting, he said he had not yet decided what to do next and refused to answer questions about whether he would resume his work as an investigative journalist.

On Wednesday, a government-allied media outlet, Fresh News, showed a video in which Mech Dara, wearing an orange prison uniform, apologized to Prime Minister Hun Manet and former Prime Minister Hun Sen, who is now president of the Senate.

In a one-minute clip, Dara admitted that he had published five incidents of false information in the past that were damaging to Cambodia and its leaders, and he promised not to publish false information in the future.

The charge against Mech Dara of inciting a crime or causing social unrest is punishable by a prison sentence of six months to two years.

His arrest on September 30 was condemned by journalists who worked with him and international press freedom and rights groups.

About four dozen Cambodian media organizations and civil society groups issued one joint statement called for his immediate release and “an end to all forms of harassment of media organizations and journalists.”

The US State Department also said it was “deeply disturbed” by his arrest. It was noted that he had been honored with this Human Trafficking Report Hero Award last year for his work.