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Cambodia Sentences 19 for Links with Rebel Group VOA News 1 Mar 2002 00:53 UTC 
A Cambodian court has sentenced at least 19 people, including a U.S. citizen, to jail terms ranging from five years to life for alleged links to an anti-government group accused of terrorism.
Judge Sok Sethamony said the Phnom Penh court found enough evidence to substantiate the charges, despite the defendants' denial of any ties to the Cambodian Freedom Fighters, CFF, rebel group.
The group has claimed responsibility for a botched attempt to topple the Cambodian government in November of 2000. A series of grenade attacks on government buildings during the coup attempt left at least four people dead.
Among those sentenced Thursday is Cambodian-born U.S. citizen Gilbit Sao, who was jailed for 10 years. He shouted "injustice" as he was led out of the courtroom.
The CFF is led by a U.S.-based Cambodian-American, Chhun Yasith, who has been sentenced in absentia to life in prison. He currently lives in California, where he works as a tax accountant.
Nearly 60 other people have been previously convicted and sentenced for their involvement in the November 2000 attacks.
Some information for this report provided by AP and AFP.
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