Autistic Cambodian teen, jailed for online comments, freed

By DAVID RISING and SOPHENG CHEANG
Associated Press

PHNOM PENH, Cambodia (AP) — An autistic Cambodian teenager has been released from prison after serving time for posting comments critical of the government on social media in a case that has attracted international attention. Kak Sovannchhay was met by his mother and supporters outside the prison. He clutched a bouquet of red roses and lilies tightly to his chest and smiled shyly as reporters snapped photos. He had been in custody since June when he was arrested for comments he made defending his father, a senior political opposition member, and for sharing Facebook posts criticizing Prime Minister Hun Sen. Rights activists and the U.S. ambassador have said his trial appeared to be politically motivated.