"[1] In February 2012, thousands of workers were protesting for a pay raise and better working conditions in Manhattan Economic Zone in Bavet, Svay Rieng.
Once he arrived within a few meters of them, witnesses reported him drawing a gun from his waist and opening fire at the crowd.
He hit Buot Chinda in the chest, piercing her lung, Nuth Sakhorn in the back and Keo Near in the arm.
[2] On May 14, the prosecutor announced that Bandith "had not intended to injure the three women" and he would therefore be charged with the misdemeanour offence of "causing injury without intent".
Meanwhile, the workers' lawyers said Special Economic Zone personnel did not allow them to collect evidence at the crime scene.
Bandith was convicted of "causing unintentional bodily harm" and sentenced to a fine and one and a half years in prison.
In July 2015 Near, Chinda and Sakhorn petitioned parliament regarding the case, saying they were living in fear of Bandith's retribution and that they were still not able to work again full time.
[14] On August 3, Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen publicly called for Bandith's arrest after years of silence on the matter.
[18] According to NGO reports, Bandith enjoyed preferential treatment in prison and was allowed considerably more freedom than other inmates.
[20] On July 23, 2020, Phnom Penh Appeal Court announced it had ruled in favour of Bandith's rehabilitation, nullifying any remaining part of his sentence.