Mam Sonando Released from Jail

PHNOM PENH, March 14 (Xinhua) -- Cambodia's Court of Appeal on Thursday reduced jail term for Mam Sonando, owner of the Beehive Radio and president of the Association of Democrats, to five years with remaining jail term being suspended, according to a verdict announced by presiding judge Khun Leang Meng.
The court found Sonando, 72, guilty of obstruction of public officials, interference in the discharge of public duties, and illegal logging, he said.
Sonando, who was arrested on July 15, 2012 at his house in Phnom Penh, will be released on Saturday after he has served eight months in jail, the judge said.
"I support the court for giving a suspended jail term to my client," Sonando's defense lawyer Sar Sovan told reporters.
The Phnom Penh Municipal Court on Oct. 1 last year convicted Sonando of masterminding a "secessionist" plot and sentenced him to 20 years in jail.
The court found that Sonando masterminded a plot to establish an autonomous region in eastern Kratie province in May last year. At that time, there was a violent clash between the government forces and illegal land holders. As a result, a 14-year-old girl was shot dead by government forces.
Some western countries see the conviction of Sonando as a political motivated move to stifle a popular government critic.
In November last year, while attending ASEAN Summit in Phnom Penh, U.S. President Barack Obama urged Cambodia to release political prisoners during a bilateral meeting with Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen.
Obama highlighted the case of Sonando for instance.
However, Hun Sen said, "In Cambodia, there is no political prisoner, but politicians abused the law, so they must be punished in accordance with the law."

Editor: Yang Yi

Comment: He was released Friday March 15, 2013. Recently there were more pressure from the US (Mr. Posner), and from NGO (the Amnesty International). He was put on man carried chair with the over of a golden decorated parasol like a King with a crowd of 200 waiting to cheer him.   His release may not help the case of Sam Rainsy. Mam Sonando was always blaming Sam Rainsy; he was supported by the Khmer People Power movement who is boycotting the next July legislative elections.