Journalist known for exposing Cambodian scams freed

Mech Dara, one of Cambodia's most prominent journalists, known for exposing the country's billion-dollar scam industry, has been released on bail after a video of him apologising to the country's leaders appeared in pro-government media.

- Rebecca Ratcliffe

Dara was arrested last month and charged with incitement over social media posts. On Wednesday, a government-friendly site posted a video of him in a prison uniform, apologising and asking for forgiveness for various social media posts. He was held in a cell with more than 100 inmates for three weeks.

“In all the messages I posted, I conveyed false information that affected the leaders and the country's reputation. I sincerely apologise for my mistakes,” he says in the video.

He could still face up to two years in prison on the charges, which have been widely condemned by press freedom and human rights advocates. Dara said after his release that he would take a break from journalism while he fought the charges.

The arrest was a serious blow to Cambodia's independent media, which has faced years of attacks aimed at shutting down any scrutiny of leadership in the country, which is in effect a one-party state.