Australian film maker and convicted spy James Ricketson has been pardoned by Cambodian King Norodom Sihamoni, according to his family and a government statement published by online news portal Fresh News.
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Ricketson, 69, was jailed for six years on August 31 for espionage in a trial that was widely criticised by human rights activists and politicians in Australia.
He had denied the charges but dropped his appeal, with his family announcing they would seek a royal pardon.
"We are just so relieved and excited about this news. It still hasn't really sunk in. It has been a really tough 16 months and I'm just kind of in shock right now," his son Jesse told AAP.
"We would like to offer our hugest gratitude to King Norodom Sihamoni for showing us compassion and bringing this nightmare to an end. We are eternally grateful," he said.
Ricketson's daughter Roxanne Holmes added; "It's been a rough and tough fight but my father is an inspiring humanitarian."
His lawyer, Kong Sam Onn, said legal papers required for his release had been issued and his client could be bound for Australia shortly.
He said Ricketson had been released from jail on Friday evening and was heading to his son Jesse's house in Phnom Penh.
The film maker was convicted on August 31 for espionage and crimes endangering Cambodian national security under Article 446 of the National Penal Code after flying a drone over a political rally organised by the now banned Cambodian National Rescue Party (CNRP).
He was sentenced to six years behind bars.
"Cambodian Acting Head of State, Say Chhum, granted amnesty to release an Australian man, Jame [sic] Ricketson, who was sentenced to six-year [sic] imprisonment, charged with espionage, according to the royal decree dated on Friday," the government statement said.
The prosecution alleged Ricketson was spying for "foreign states" but declined to say which ones or call any witnesses to substantiate the charges. However, they did produce evidence tying Ricketson to former CNRP leader Sam Rainsy.
Sam Rainsy is wanted by the courts in Cambodia and now lives in self-imposed exile in France. Hun Sen won all 125 seats contested at elections in July and has since released many dissidents and CNRP supporters jailed before the poll.
An Australian embassy spokesperson referred all queries on the issue to the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade in Canberra.
Ricketson has been held in squalid conditions in Prey Sar prison where he has suffered from numerous medical complaints including weight loss, scabies and lice, prompting a transfer to the prison hospital.
Under Cambodian law a pardon cannot be issued until the appeals process has been exhausted or dropped. It is normally requested by the convicted, with the government then asking the monarch for a royal approval.
Australian Associated Press