Cambodian journalist granted bail after apologizing for 'harmful' posts

Defendant admits posting 'false information,' harming 'country's reputation'

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U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken presents Mech Dara with the TIP Report Hero award at the release of the 2023 Trafficking in Persons Report in Washington in June 2023. © Reuters

 (Reuters) -- An award-winning Cambodian journalist who was arrested on charges of inciting social unrest was freed on bail on Thursday, a day after the government released a video of the investigative reporter apologizing.

Mech Dara, who is known for exposing corruption and human trafficking, had been held in pretrial detention since Oct. 1, and faces up to two years in prison. His arrest drew concern from rights groups and the U.S. government.

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