a civilian. On 1 February 2006, the European Parliament adopted a resolution calling on the Cambodian government to unconditionally release him. The United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary Detention declared Cheam's imprisonment "arbitrary" and "in contravention of article 14 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights". Royal pardon On 2 February 2006, King Norodom Sihamoni reduced Cheam's sentence from seven years' imprisonment to three years. Four days later, Cheam received a full royal pardon, and was released from prison. The U.S. State Department praised the pardon, calling it a "positive turn". Death Cheam died on 25 October 2018. He had been suffering from a brain tumour that had subsequently spread to his intestines. References 1961 births 2018 deaths Amnesty International prisoners of conscience held by Cambodia Cambodian prisoners and detainees Channy, Cheam Recipients of Cambodian royal pardons Candlelight Party politicians Deaths from brain cancer in Cambodia People from Battambang province