PHNOM PENH, OCT 24 – An award-winning Cambodian journalist arrested over social media posts applied for bail today after pro-government media released a video of him in prison showing him apologizing to the country’s leader.
Police arrested Mech Dara last September 30 after impounding a car that brought him and his family from Sihanoukville, a coastal city where many cyber fraud operations are suspected to have taken place.
Dara is best known for her reporting on human trafficking in Cambodia’s notorious cyber fraud industry and her arrest on charges of engaging in activities that undermine social welfare has drawn international condemnation.
Government-friendly media channels, Fresh News released a video yesterday showing Dara dressed in an orange prison uniform.
In the minutes-long video, Dara apologized to Cambodia’s former leader, Hun Sen, and his son, Hun Manet, the current prime minister, saying his broadcast contained false information that was harmful to the leader and the country.
Dara also said he will stop posting material that is harmful to them and Cambodia.
In a separate statement released alongside the video, Dara asked the court to release him and drop the charges against him. – AFP
