Cambodian labor leader among 18 activists freed from prison

By DAVID RISING and SOPHENG CHEANG
Associated Press

PHNOM PENH, Cambodia (AP) — A Cambodian court has released 18 activists, including a prominent labor leader who has been a longtime critic of the government. The Phnom Penh Court of Appeals says it ordered the release of Rong Chhun and four others, but gave no immediate details about its decision. A human rights group said additional prisoners were freed later. In a separate case, rights groups called for the immediate release of two other activists who were deported back to Cambodia from Thailand earlier in the week. Prime Minister Hun Sen has been in power for 36 years and has often been accused of heading an authoritarian regime.