18/03/2013 (Agence Europe) - On 15 March, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs Catherine Ashton took note of the decision by the Cambodian Court of Appeal, the previous day, authorising the release of Mam Sonando, the president of the Cambodian Association of Democrats and the director of Beehive radio, even though the sentence imposed on him remains in place. She said that she hoped that this decision was an indication of the development of an environment more favourable to the freedom of expression and press freedom, which, she said, was critically important given the forthcoming elections in Cambodia planned for July. Sonando was given a 20-year prison sentence for “secessionist conspiracy” on 1 October 2012. His radio station broadcast programmes that were critical of the government. (CG/transl.fl)