PHNOM PENH, Nov 5: A Cambodian court on Monday sentenced 26 people to prison terms of up to 15 years for their role in a failed coup attempt mounted by the Cambodian Freedom Fighters (CFF) rebel militia last year.

Three of the accused were sentenced to 15 years in jail, seven received 10 years, and another 16 were given lesser sentences. The court dropped charges against two other suspects.

Another 30 members of the anti-government movement, including most of the ringleaders, were given jail sentences in June for their role in the bloody November 24 attempt to oust Prime Minister Hun Sen.

The men sentenced Monday were mostly farmers and labourers hired to take part in the botched assault on government buildings in Phnom Penh that left at least eight people dead and 14 injured.

Defence lawyers criticised the trial as unjust, and indicated they would launch an appeal on behalf of their clients, who they said were tricked into taking part in the pre-dawn raid.

“Many of them had never been to Phnom Penh before,” said lawyer Put Theavy who acted for 10 of the accused.

“The court did not fulfil the legal procedures correctly,” added Dy Borima, the lawyer for eight of the group. “I will consider taking an appeal to the upper court.”

Judge Sok Sethamony of the Phnom Penh Municipality Court dismissed the charges and said there was clear evidence that the men were guilty of committing acts of terrorism and belonging to an illegal armed force.—AFP