Wednesday, June 27, 2012

Appeals court frees Cambodian eviction protesters

June 27, 2012
By The Associated Press   

PHNOM PENH, Cambodia - (AP) -- A Cambodian appeals court has ordered the release of 13 women who were jailed for protesting being evicted from their homes without adequate compensation.

Judge Seng Sivutha on Wednesday upheld last month's convictions of the women for aggravated rebellion and illegal occupation of land. They had each been sentenced to 2½ years in prison. However, the judge said he was reducing their sentences to time served of one month and three days because they have children to take care of and little knowledge of the law.

The women had been residents of Phnom Penh's Boueng Kak lake area, which the government awarded to a Chinese company for commercial development. They said they were not given new land titles they were promised by the government.

Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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