The bodies of Khim Sambo and his son are on display in Wat Svay Dangkum pagoda on 12 Jule 2008. (Photo: Sophorn, RFA)12 July 2008
By Sok Serey Radio Free Asia
Translation from Khmer by Socheata Click here to read the original article in Khmer
On Saturday 12 July, the SRP demanded that the government authority conducts an immediate investigation in order to arrest the culprits who shot and killed Khim Sambo, a journalist for the Moneaksekar Khmer newspaper, in the evening of Friday. High-ranking SRP officials accused the murder as a political threat on the SRP supporters ahead of the upcoming election.
SRP MP Son Chhay said at a press conference held at the SRP headquarters in Phnom Penh: “This is a savage and cheap action. This hurts us a lot, it is imperative that the murderers and those backing them be arrested. There are concerns among those who conduct important jobs for us, and there are concerns within the party as well.”
Regarding this issue, General Khieu Sopheak, spokesman of the Ministry of Interior, said that there is no immediate determination as to whether the murder was political or not. Khieu Sopheak said: “The accusation is normal, whether it is political or not, we cannot say until the culprits are found, if they (SRP) said this, it’s up to them.”
Khim Sambo is the 47-year-old journalist for the Moneaksekar Khmer newspaper which supports the SRP, he was shot and killed on the spot by two unknown assailants, near the Olympic stadium in Phnom Penh, in the evening of Friday. The assailants shot him 5 times, and his son, 21-year-old Khat Sarin Theara, was shot on the chest and he died at the hospital. Father and son were traveling home after exercising themselves.
The body of Khim Sambo and his son are on display at the Wat Svay Dangkum pagoda, in Phnom Penh city.
On Saturday, the Ministry of Information issued an immediate statement pushing the police to take measures to arrest the criminals and bring them to justice. The ministry also condemned the murder as being a coward act.
The Cambodian Human Rights Action Committee (CHRAC) which regroups 21 organizations and associations, also issued a statement on Saturday, expressing its concerns for the security for journalists who are currently being severely threatened on their freedom of expression which is protected by the Constitution.
SRP MP Son Chhay said at a press conference held at the SRP headquarters in Phnom Penh: “This is a savage and cheap action. This hurts us a lot, it is imperative that the murderers and those backing them be arrested. There are concerns among those who conduct important jobs for us, and there are concerns within the party as well.”
Regarding this issue, General Khieu Sopheak, spokesman of the Ministry of Interior, said that there is no immediate determination as to whether the murder was political or not. Khieu Sopheak said: “The accusation is normal, whether it is political or not, we cannot say until the culprits are found, if they (SRP) said this, it’s up to them.”
Khim Sambo is the 47-year-old journalist for the Moneaksekar Khmer newspaper which supports the SRP, he was shot and killed on the spot by two unknown assailants, near the Olympic stadium in Phnom Penh, in the evening of Friday. The assailants shot him 5 times, and his son, 21-year-old Khat Sarin Theara, was shot on the chest and he died at the hospital. Father and son were traveling home after exercising themselves.
The body of Khim Sambo and his son are on display at the Wat Svay Dangkum pagoda, in Phnom Penh city.
On Saturday, the Ministry of Information issued an immediate statement pushing the police to take measures to arrest the criminals and bring them to justice. The ministry also condemned the murder as being a coward act.
The Cambodian Human Rights Action Committee (CHRAC) which regroups 21 organizations and associations, also issued a statement on Saturday, expressing its concerns for the security for journalists who are currently being severely threatened on their freedom of expression which is protected by the Constitution.
