Jailed Cambodian opposition editor free on bail

Dam Sith, 39, a politician and editor of the Moneaksekar Khmer newspaper was jailed a week ago on charges of defamation, insult and disinformation.

He is accused of printing defamatory comments made by opposition leader Sam Rainsy about Foreign Minister Hor Namhong. The bail sum was not disclosed.

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen wrote late Saturday night to the Phnom Penh Municipal Court requesting his release.

"I wish to thank the Sam Rainsy Party, journalism representatives, international rights groups and Hun Sen," Dam Sith said as he left the prison and was united with his family.

He is also a prominent candidate of the party for elections scheduled next month.

His detention on civil charges was unprecedented, but the court ruled he was a risk to witnesses. The order inflamed rights and media advocates, who called it an example of the Cambodian courts being used for political ends.

Hun Sen's ruling Cambodian People's Party said the case was a personal matter between Sith and Hor Namhong, who is also a deputy prime minister and a party politburo member, and denied any involvement with the court.//dpa