Australian filmmaker apologizes to Cambodia PM ahead of espionage trial

[geovalin]

PHNOM PENH (Reuters) - Jailed Australian filmmaker James Ricketson has apologized for disrespectful comments about Cambodia’s long serving Prime Minister Hun Sen ahead of a trial in which he stands accused of espionage and faces 10 years in jail if convicted.

 

 

James Ricketson, 69, was arrested last June after he was photographed flying a drone above a political rally organized by the now-dissolved opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP).

 

In a letter to Hun Sen, which was published in full in the Khmer Times newspaper on Wednesday, Ricketson offered his “sincerest apologies” for statements to local media that were “disruptive and ill-informed.”

“These statements were made from a place of foreign naivety and ignorance about the complexities and difficulties of governing Cambodia,” Ricketson said.

“I sincerely regret having made any disrespectful comments and I unreservedly apologize in this regards to yourself and your government,” he said.

 

Ricketson said that he now realized how much stability Hun Sen’s government brought to Cambodia.

Ricketson’s defense lawyer Peung Yok Hiep confirmed the authenticity of the letter to Reuters and said it would be filed in court on Wednesday ahead of a trial scheduled for July 16.

Ricketson’s arrest came amid a wider crackdown on freedom of expression by the government of Hun Sen, who has ruled for 33 years.

 

Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has said that it was providing consular assistance to Ricketson.

The CNRP was dissolved last year at the request of Hun Sen’s government after the arrest of party leader Kem Sokha, who was accused of plotting to take power with American help - charges he says were politically motivated.

Reporting by Prak Chan Thul; editing by Richard Pullin

 

source https://www.reuters.com/article/us-cambodia-australia-filmmaker/australian-filmmaker-apologizes-to-cambodia-pm-ahead-of-espionage-trial-idUSKBN1K10FV

 

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 12/07

[BobBKK]

Can't blame him who wants a Cambodian jail?

 

hope he's ok and the wonderful and generous PM will accept the 'apology' and let him leave.

[phil2407]

He was filming something - a political rally - if he brought the drone into Cambodia was he not warned about license etc - if he bought it Cambodia - he's observing not espionage!  Despot Sen has stolen millions if not more $ from his own people and "requested" the opposition be kicked out - no he didn't - he ordered it without any proof but everyone is in his back pocket or scared shit of him - that's not democracy that's tyrany 

[Media1]

The Mad Hatter tea party 

[tryasimight]

Consular assistance...... 5555.....good luck old mate! 

[dinsdale]

Yep. You must apologise to a dictator. This is what Hun Sen is. Oppostion jailed. No democracy. No free and fair elections. No freedom of press. Will this spread to a certain neighbouring country to the west?  

[dinsdale]

1 hour ago, tryasimight said:

Consular assistance...... 5555.....good luck old mate! 

The Australian Govt. is well aware of the situation. This is the govt that pays this megalomaniac to take refugees from offshore detention centres.

[tryasimight]

On 7/12/2018 at 9:00 PM, dinsdale said:

The Australian Govt. is well aware of the situation. This is the govt that pays this megalomaniac to take refugees from offshore detention centres.

Only two at last count