Mech Dara, known for denouncing corruption and human trafficking, had been in pre-trial detention since October 1 and faces up to two years in prison. His arrest sparked concern from rights groups and the U.S. government.

In its October 1 ruling, the Phnom Penh Municipal Court said Dara, who has worked for local and international media, had posted “provocative” and “false” messages and photos about a rock quarry on a mountain sacred.

Dara spoke briefly to reporters outside the Kandal provincial prison before leaving in a vehicle. He thanked civil society groups and embassies for helping to facilitate his release.

“I am very grateful to everyone and all my friends, both local and international, who did everything to support me and help me to be released,” Dara said.

Dara received a hero award from US Secretary of State Antony Blinken last year, recognizing her work exposing the existence of massive fraud schemes run primarily by trafficked workers in Cambodia. The American embassy had requested his release.

Washington’s top humanitarian official, Samantha Power, who announced a total of about $55 million in new U.S. funding for projects in Cambodia during a visit this week, said she had met with the family of Dara and raised his case with Prime Minister Hun Manet.

Power, the administrator of the US Agency for International Development, welcomed his release on bail on Thursday. “We continue to seek a quick and fair solution to his ordeal,” she added in a message on X.

On Wednesday, Cambodia’s information minister shared with reporters a video of Dara wearing a prison costume and apologizing. It was accompanied by images of a three-page handwritten letter which the minister said came from the journalist.

“In all the messages I posted, I conveyed false information that damaged the country’s leadership and reputation. I sincerely apologize for my mistakes and promise to stop sharing such harmful content” , Dara said in the video.