SRP: Prey Veng Supporters Attacked With Axes
By Yun Samean
THE CAMBODIA DAILY
The Sam Rainsy Party claimed Sunday that a gang hired to assault a newly elected SRP village chief in Prey Veng province's Komchay Mear district attacked two of its supporters with axes during a political meeting Wednesday.
Police, who on Sunday arrested one man and are seeking four more in relation to the assault in Krabao commune, say they do not believe the attack was politically motivated.
Pim Samnang, an aide to Sam Rainsy, said the five had intended to attack Veal Smach village chief Soeung Kou but did not know what he looked like, and instead lashed out at SRP supporters Hing Tuy and Kung Noeun, hospitalizing them both.
The two victims were holding a political meeting in a house when they were attacked at around 6 pm, Pim Samnang said. "CPP officials were angry that [Soeung Kou] had convinced other people to join the SRP," Pim Samnang claimed, adding that Soeung Kou was elected Aug 6. "The group asked for Soeung Kou. This is a politically motivated assault," he alleged.
Hing Tuy, who was hit in the arm with an ax and then punched to the ground has been discharged from the hospital. Kung Noeun, who was hit in the face with an ax, as well as being repeatedly punched in the face, remains unconscious, Pim Samnang said.
Deputy district police chief Kol Ky said police have arrested one man, Preap Ney Ky, in connection with the attack.
The 30-year-old suspect has told police that he did not know his victims, and would not reveal who had hired him, Kol Ky said.
Hing Tuy has told police that he is not an SRP member, Kol Ky said. "I suspect the attack was motivated by revenge," Kol Ky said.
SRP President Sam Rainsy said it is normal for SRP members to be attacked in the lead-up to a vote such as the 2007 commune council elections. "They intimidate or kill one or two people to frighten the whole country," he claimed.
Government spokesman and Information Minister Khieu Kanharith said that the SRP often claims attacks on its members are politically motivated in order to gain political capital.
If SRP members are attacked, they must provide information to the police so the perpetrators can be arrested he said.
Hang Puthea, director of the Neutral and Impartial Committee for Free Flections in Cambodia, said SRP members will likely fall victim to politically motivated violence ahead of both the commune council elections and the 2008 national election.
Police, who on Sunday arrested one man and are seeking four more in relation to the assault in Krabao commune, say they do not believe the attack was politically motivated.
Pim Samnang, an aide to Sam Rainsy, said the five had intended to attack Veal Smach village chief Soeung Kou but did not know what he looked like, and instead lashed out at SRP supporters Hing Tuy and Kung Noeun, hospitalizing them both.
The two victims were holding a political meeting in a house when they were attacked at around 6 pm, Pim Samnang said. "CPP officials were angry that [Soeung Kou] had convinced other people to join the SRP," Pim Samnang claimed, adding that Soeung Kou was elected Aug 6. "The group asked for Soeung Kou. This is a politically motivated assault," he alleged.
Hing Tuy, who was hit in the arm with an ax and then punched to the ground has been discharged from the hospital. Kung Noeun, who was hit in the face with an ax, as well as being repeatedly punched in the face, remains unconscious, Pim Samnang said.
Deputy district police chief Kol Ky said police have arrested one man, Preap Ney Ky, in connection with the attack.
The 30-year-old suspect has told police that he did not know his victims, and would not reveal who had hired him, Kol Ky said.
Hing Tuy has told police that he is not an SRP member, Kol Ky said. "I suspect the attack was motivated by revenge," Kol Ky said.
SRP President Sam Rainsy said it is normal for SRP members to be attacked in the lead-up to a vote such as the 2007 commune council elections. "They intimidate or kill one or two people to frighten the whole country," he claimed.
Government spokesman and Information Minister Khieu Kanharith said that the SRP often claims attacks on its members are politically motivated in order to gain political capital.
If SRP members are attacked, they must provide information to the police so the perpetrators can be arrested he said.
Hang Puthea, director of the Neutral and Impartial Committee for Free Flections in Cambodia, said SRP members will likely fall victim to politically motivated violence ahead of both the commune council elections and the 2008 national election.
3 comments:
Hun Sen and his Yuon kind hired them. Political attacks on the SRP are common specifically to serve and defend Yuon interests.
With those foul Royal Police Force and Army we will be the slave of the Vietnamese Communist forever, thank to UNTAC!
Hun Sen and his immoral militia are manupilated the people by gangsters so that they can win the election. Please people abroad help support the Sam Rainsy Party. They are doing their best to build a justice society. Without your support, the dream of justice society is deeming.
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