Phnom Penh - A Cambodian newspaper editor was in jail Tuesday despite the intervention of the country's Information Ministry seeking his release and a rising outcry from rights and media groups.
Information Minister Khieu Kanharith said his ministry had personally written to Phnom Penh Municipal Court requesting the release of Dam Sith, editor of pro-opposition Moneaksekar Khmer newspaper and a senior member of the Sam Rainsy Party.
Sith was arrested Sunday on charges of defamation, "insult" and disinformation and jailed when the court determined that he was a threat to interfere with witnesses, even though none of the charges are criminal offenses.