Australian filmmaker James Ricketson was found guilty of espionage by Phnom Penh Municipal Court this morning and sentenced to six years in jail.

Despite a lengthy seven-day trial, no credible evidence of spying was produced. The evidence and testimonies also did not show which country he was accused of spying for, although this question was raised by the defence.

The 69 year old was arrested in Phnom Penh in June 2017, shortly after he flew a drone over an opposition party election rally.

Ricketson has been held for almost 15 months in pre-trial detention in the overcrowded Prey Sar (CC1) prison.

He was convicted on espionage charges for “collecting information prejudicial to national defence” under article 446 and article 439 of the Criminal Code.