A juvenile suspect held on charges of violence and criminal damage for his part in the SL Garment workers strike last November has been released on bail.

The 15-year-old suspect was released under court supervision yesterday, after an appeal was launched against his pre-trial detention.

A lawyer for the prosecution, who wished to remain anonymous, said the youth suffered from mental illness.

“He has a mental problem, and he is a juvenile,” she said. “We wait to discuss with the attorney whether we should keep filing against him or not.”

Vanny Vannak, 19, who was charged along with Ton, remains in detention.

Thirty-eight people, only one of whom was an SL Garment worker, were arrested after violence broke out at a strike in Phnom Penh’s Stung Meanchey district on November 12.

A woman, Eng Sokhom, was killed and at least six others shot when police fired live ammunition into a crowd of hundreds of rioting garment workers.