Pardoned film-maker believed to be back home
Australian film-maker James Ricketson was expected to arrive in Australia late yesterday after being pardoned by Cambodia’s king.
His family have expressed joy and relief following the Australian film-maker’s royal pardon after 15 months in a Cambodian prison on ‘‘outrageous’’ espionage charges.
Targeted by Prime Minister Hun Sen’s authoritarian government, Ricketson was sentenced in June to six years’ imprisonment and the family feared the 69-yearold would not survive the harsh conditions.
Roxanne Holmes, his adopted daughter, said it had been an emotional and tumultuous journey since Ricketson was arrested last year for flying a drone over a rally held by Cambodia’s opposition party.
‘‘I just feel so thankful for all the people who have come forward and supported my father,’’ Holmes told expressing gratitude to lawyers, journalists, politicians and the Australian public.
She singled out Greens leader Richard Di Natale and former prime minister Tony Abbott for taking time to support Ricketson’s cause.
Ricketson had been released the Phnom Penh jail he had been held in and was expected to be back in Australia late yesterday.
The pardon by Cambodian King Norodom Sihamoni was issued on Friday, local time, at the request of Hun Sen. Ricketson’s conviction has been criticised as an apparently political act as the Prime Minister cracked down on dissent before elections in July.
After a trial in a justice system widely condemned by human rights advocates and legal experts, Ricketson was convicted of ‘‘espionage and collecting harmful information that could affect national defence’’.
‘‘Right now our primary focus is on James’ welfare – 16 months in prison will have taken a huge toll on him physically and emotionally, and we want him to be able to rest and recuperate,’’ the family said yesterday.
‘‘James still deeply loves Cambodia and its people and remains committed to helping however he can.’’
The family will hold a press conference in Sydney today.
‘‘It’s been atrocious, outrageous. It should never have happened, but justice has prevailed,’’ Holmes said.
In a statement, Jesse Ricketson said the family held grave concerns for his father’s health and ‘‘we’re not sure how long he could have continued to endure the conditions of the notorious Prey Sar prison’’.
Jesse Ricketson moved to Cambodia last year to help his father.
‘‘James was always innocent of espionage, or any other crime, and is now free to once more return to his passions of filmmaking, journalism and helping those who need it most,’’ he said. –
‘‘It’s been atrocious, outrageous. It should never have happened, but justice has prevailed.’’ Roxanne Holmes