PHNOM PENH (AFP) - In a sharp reversal, Cambodian government lawyers Friday dropped defamation complaints against seven prominent activists, but trials for the men could still go forward.
"I have submitted a letter to the courts withdrawing the complaints... For my side this is over. We are not demanding anything more," lawyer Suong Chanthan told AFP.
"It is up to the court whether to dismiss the charges," he said.
Prime Minister Hun Sen last month said he would abandon the defamation suits against his critics, but until now the government's lawyers had refused to drop the complaints.
Court officials still have the right to continue investigating the complaints, leaving all seven at risk of being arrested and facing trial.
The defamation suits sparked international outrage at what rights groups called a bid by Hun Sen to crush dissent through the courts.
Arrested in the clampdown were Kem Sokha and Pa Nguon Teang of the US-backed Cambodian Center for Human Rights, as well as journalist Mam Sonando and union boss Rong Chhun.
The four were released on bail last month after Hun Sen met with US Assistant Secretary of State Christopher Hill in Phnom Penh.
The United States was one of the most vocal critics of the wave of arrests, saying the were destroying democracy in Cambodia. Activist Yeng Virak, labour leader Chea Mony and Prince Sisowath Thomico, a cousin of King Norodom Sihamoni, are also facing defamation complaints.
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