Cambodian journalist Mech Dara was released on bail Thursday, a day after he issued a public apology on a state media outlet. Authorities alleged that Dara’s social media posts could “disturb social security” by inciting unrest, contravening articles 494 and 495 of Cambodia’s Criminal Code.

Days after his detention, Dara appeared in a video broadcast on government-aligned media outlets wearing an orange prison uniform and expressing remorse for his posts, pledging to avoid content that might be perceived as harmful to the government.

Following the broadcast apology, Dara’s lawyer submitted a request for his bail. The Phnom Penh Municipal Court granted his release the following day. Upon his release, Dara expressed gratitude, stating, “I thank all relevant institutions and colleagues and others who helped me so that I have freedom and stay out of jail provisionally.” Dara’s apology video has since been circulated across local news, where he stated his intent to refrain from sharing content critical of the government.

Dara was taken into custody by Cambodian military police on his way to the city of Sihanoukville. According to court documents, his arrest stemmed from five social media posts authorities deemed as spreading misinformation and posing a threat to public security. Media organizations and civil society groups have described the arrest as “a clear attempt to intimidate and silence him and other journalists” in Cambodia. The Ministry of Information rejected these allegations.

Dara won the US State Department’s 2023 Trafficking in Persons Report Hero award for his coverage of human trafficking and online scam operations in Cambodia.