Cambodian authorities briefly detained six demonstrators Sunday as they protested against the recent passage of a controversial law regulating non-governmental organisations, officials and a rights group said. The five men and a woman were among dozens who rallied outside parliament in the capital Phnom Penh.
Critics say the law will hinder the ability of NGOs to operate in the deeply impoverished nation.
Those who were detained had dressed themselves in prison uniforms and chained their feet together, an AFP photographer said. Riot police chased other demonstrators away from the parliament building.
"The six people were arrested during a rally to express their opinion against the law," Am Sam Ath, of local rights group Licadho, told AFP.
They were later released without charge after promising "not to do anything illegal and to be good citizens", he added.