Australian Filmmaker's Family 'overwhelmed' After Cambodia Pardon
Fahad Shabbir (@FahadShabbir) Published September 23, 2018 | 02:07 PM
Sydney, Sept 23 (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 23rd Sep, 2018 ) :The family of an Australian filmmaker who received a royal pardon from Cambodia said Sunday they were "overwhelmed with happiness" ahead of his return to Sydney.
James Ricketson was sentenced to six years' jail last month after being convicted of espionage, and had been in detention since June last year after he flew a drone over an opposition rally.
He was issued a royal pardon on Friday after strongman premier Hun Sen requested it from the Cambodian king.
Local media reported that the 69-year-old was expected to arrive in Sydney late Sunday after being deported from Cambodia on Saturday.
"The Ricketson family are overwhelmed with happiness to have James home safely in Australia," they said in a statement, commercial broadcaster Channel Nine reported.
"James still deeply loves Cambodia and its people and remains committed to helping however he can.
" The family thanked supporters for campaigning for his release, as well as King Norodom Sihamoni for "bringing this nightmare to an end".
They added that the 16-month imprisonment took a huge physical and emotional toll on Ricketson's health.
Ricketson's pardon came a few days before Hun Sen -- who has been in power for more than 33 years -- was scheduled to travel to New York to attend the United Nations General Assembly.
It also followed the freeing of activists and opposition lawmakers in the weeks after July's national election, which critics said was neither free nor fair.
Australian foreign Minister Marise Payne thanked her Cambodian counterpart Prak Sokhonn and said the pardon ended a "distressing time" for Ricketson and his family.
Related Topics
Recent Stories
Tennis: ATP Barcelona Open results - 1st update
Swiatek's perfect 10 in Stuttgart as Vondrousova stuns Sabalenka
Arandu's roads closed due to flooding
Oil tanker catches fire in Islamabad’s Blue Area
Pakistan committed to ensure safety of foreign nationals: FO
Tennis: WTA Stuttgart results - 1st update
Four passengers injured as train hit an empty vehicle
Over- speeding bus crushed to death two bike riders
Turkey's Freedom Flotilla ready to set sail for Gaza
French teen dies from heart failure after knife attack near school
Iranians appear unfazed by Isfahan blasts
UAF celebrates Int'l Chinese Language Day
More Stories From World
-
Togo lawmakers approve contested political reform
6 hours ago -
NATO must choose 'whether we indeed are allies': Zelensky
6 hours ago -
US House to vote on Ukraine, Israel, Taiwan aid package
6 hours ago -
Calls for calm after reported Israeli strike on Iran
6 hours ago -
IMF calls on EU to deepen single market integration to boost growth
6 hours ago -
Second Ecuadoran mayor killed ahead of anti-crime referendum: police
6 hours ago
-
Oil, gas drilling blocked in Alaska wilds as Biden seeks green cred
7 hours ago -
Man sets self on fire outside Trump trial
7 hours ago -
Turkey's Freedom Flotilla ready to set sail for Gaza
8 hours ago -
French teen dies from heart failure after knife attack near school
8 hours ago -
Iranians appear unfazed by Isfahan blasts
8 hours ago -
Ecuador mayor killed ahead of anti-crime referendum: police
9 hours ago