PHNOM PENH, Cambodia (AP) — A Cambodian court on Friday convicted almost two dozen factory workers and rights activists for instigating violence during protests that rocked the government earlier this year, but in a surprise move gave the defendants suspended sentences and granted them freedom.

The Phnom Penh Municipal Court ruled that the 23 defendants, who were detained since their arrests in January, had served enough time behind bars and were free to return home.