Jarai men granted bail in refugee assistance case

Three men accused of human trafficking for assisting Montagnard asylum seekers escape Viet Nam have been granted bail, The Cambodian Daily reported Thursday.

On Wednesday, a provincial judge granted the three Jarai villagers bail, which must now be approved by the prosecutor. The men have been detained since April 23 on allegations of aiding a group of Montagnards escape Viet Nam.

Ny Chandy, attorney for Legal Aid of Cambodia, fears that the accused will face an unjust extension of jail time if the bail ruling is appealed. The maximum sentence for human trafficking is six months in prison.