Cambodia convicts labour activists, then frees them

A Cambodian court on Friday convicted almost two dozen factory workers and rights activists for instigating violence during protests that rocked the government earlier this year, but in a surprise move gave the defendants suspended sentences and granted them freedom. The Phnom Penh Municipal Court ruled that the 23 defendants, who were detained since their arrests in January, had served enough time behind bars and were free to return home. Authorities cracked down on the January protests that had been called to demand a higher minimum wage for garment factory workers, leaving at least four people dead. The crackdown drew criticism from human rights groups and drew attention to the conditions of the factory workers, who manufactured clothing for several global brands, including the Gap, H&M and Adidas, according to UNB.