Two monks arrested while carrying flags to offer land dispute protesters at the Samaki Rainsy pagoda in November had their request for bail heard at the Appeal Court yesterday.

Though the hearing was closed to the public, Sam Sokunthear, who represents Khith Vannak and Sang Kosal, said outside the courtroom that she had asked the court to let the two out under court supervision due to their poor health.

She also wondered about the prosecution’s evidence that the two were guilty of “participation in criminal association”, given that their evidence amounted to some Buddhist flags on bamboo poles.

“Are they weapons? It’s just a flag tied to a stick,” she said. The court will render a decision on the monks’ bail request on January 9.