Aussie filmmaker denied bail as espionage trial begins

[geovalin]

Phnom Penh Municipal Court yesterday began its espionage trial against Australian filmmaker James Ricketson, who was charged over the collection of information deemed detrimental to the country’s national security last year. Before the trial began, Mr Ricketson’s lawyer asked the court to grant his client bail, a request Presiding Judge Seng Leang rejected due to the severity of the charges.

 

The court then took a recess and resumed the trial at about 6pm. During his questioning yesterday, Mr Ricketson denied spying for western countries as alleged by the prosecution.

 

“I didn’t commit what the court is accusing me of,” he said. “I am not a spy for any country.” Defence lawyers Peung Yok Hiep and Kong Sam Un said that the court must produce more witnesses, a point that the judges agreed upon.

 

read more https://www.khmertimeskh.com/50523816/aussie-filmmaker-denied-bail-as-espionage-trial-begins-2/

 

 

-- © Copyright Khmer Times 17/08

[phycokiller]

he wasnt spying, he just took drone footage of an opposition rally to use in a documentary. they just dont want him to be able to release his documentary and are using this trumped up charge to keep him in prison