Aussie film man on spy charges
CAMBODIA: A Cambodian court has quashed a bid by Australian filmmaker James Ricketson to have espionage charges against him dismissed.
Ricketson was sent back to Pray Sar, a notoriously harsh and overcrowded prison on the outskirts of Phnom Penh on Thursday, where he has contracted a skin disease.
His lawyer Ou Helene told the Phnom Penh Post that a closed court hearing rejected a request to annul the proceedings and dismiss a charge of gathering sensitive information with the intention of supplying it to a foreign state.
‘‘The decision is final …the decision to dismiss the annulment request cannot be appealed,’’ she said.
The 69-year-old from Sydney was arrested on June 3 after flying a drone over an opposition Cambodian National Rescue Party rally ahead of local elections.
He was making a documentary on the party.
But the nature of the charge suggests authorities will allege Ricketson was spying for Australia or its agents.
Outside the court, Ricketson, who has been refused bail, lifted his orange prison shirt to reveal red sores, the Post reported.
Ou Helene said she would apply to have him removed to another prison.
Ricketson could face up to 10 years jail on the charge which could strain the Turnbull government’s relations with Cambodia, as Canberra clings to a controversial A$55 million to relocate refugees from Nauru to the impoverished country.
Ricketson studied at the Australian Film and Television School and has made several awardwinning features and documentaries. - Fairfax