15 July 2007
By Duong Sokha
Ka-set
Unofficial translation from French by Luc Sâr
Click here to read the original article in French
Click here to read the original article in Khmer
On Tuesday 15 July, the Phnom Penh police provided its preliminary leads on the investigation on the double murder of journalist Khim Sambo and his son, both of whom were shot and killed in the evening of Friday 11 July.
According to Touch Naroth, Phnom Penh police commissioner, two leads are possible: a revenge case or a robbery attempt.
“We estimate at 70% (probability) that it is a revenge case,” Touch Naroth claimed, based on the fact that the assailants did not try to take the motorcycle driven by one of the victims. “The journalist could have personal conflicts,” Touch Naroth added.
The second plausible lead would be a robbery attempt. Touch Naroth gave this a “30% (probability)” and he said that “after the shooting, the thieves could not take away the motorcycle because of the situation.”
According to Touch Naroth, the authorities continue for collaborate with the victims’ family in order to collect information and to make an arrest on the murderers.
Furthermore, on Tuesday, the Adhoc human rights issued a press release in which it stated that it is concerned and regret to see “the use of weapons to threat and kill,” especially during the election campaign.
Adhoc underscored that 6 shooting murders were recorded starting with the murder of Keo Iv, a businessman and speaker for the CTN TV station, on 02 July, up to the murders of the opposition journalist working for the Moneaksekar Khmer and that of his son on 11 July.
“Even if there is no sufficient information yet on the motive of these murders, this shows an increase in the use of guns which creates an atmosphere of insecurity before the [27 July] ballot,” Adhoc complained. “Shooting attacks have a deep impact on the feelings of the citizens, political activists, journalists, and observers in regards to their (personal) security within the framework of their missions.”
Adhoc insisted that the government arrests the murderers so that they can be brought to justice. Adhoc also whished that “urgent and efficient measures” be taken to reinforce the citizens’ security, and so that the election can be conducted “freely and fairly, without threats.”
The Sam Rainsy Party (SRP) also called on the government to conduct an investigation into these crimes and, on Tuesday, it supported the proposal by the US FBI to help the Cambodian police to shed light on the double murder of Khim Sambo and his son. In a common declaration, SRP MPs asked the government to accept the FBI help “so that justice prevails” and so that the protection of politicians, journalists and the citizens be assured.
The FBI proposal was favorably welcomed by Touch Naroth, the Phnom Penh police commissioner. In response to Adhoc declarations, Touch Naroth said that the number of murders have decreased in comparison to the last election campaign in 2003. Nevertheless, he admitted that there is a recrudescence of infractions during the third week of the 2008 election campaign, in comparison to the previous two weeks. “But, these infractions are all over the country. Phnom Penh, the capital, is a complicated location … That’s why there were more problems.”
According to Touch Naroth, Phnom Penh police commissioner, two leads are possible: a revenge case or a robbery attempt.
“We estimate at 70% (probability) that it is a revenge case,” Touch Naroth claimed, based on the fact that the assailants did not try to take the motorcycle driven by one of the victims. “The journalist could have personal conflicts,” Touch Naroth added.
The second plausible lead would be a robbery attempt. Touch Naroth gave this a “30% (probability)” and he said that “after the shooting, the thieves could not take away the motorcycle because of the situation.”
According to Touch Naroth, the authorities continue for collaborate with the victims’ family in order to collect information and to make an arrest on the murderers.
Furthermore, on Tuesday, the Adhoc human rights issued a press release in which it stated that it is concerned and regret to see “the use of weapons to threat and kill,” especially during the election campaign.
Adhoc underscored that 6 shooting murders were recorded starting with the murder of Keo Iv, a businessman and speaker for the CTN TV station, on 02 July, up to the murders of the opposition journalist working for the Moneaksekar Khmer and that of his son on 11 July.
“Even if there is no sufficient information yet on the motive of these murders, this shows an increase in the use of guns which creates an atmosphere of insecurity before the [27 July] ballot,” Adhoc complained. “Shooting attacks have a deep impact on the feelings of the citizens, political activists, journalists, and observers in regards to their (personal) security within the framework of their missions.”
Adhoc insisted that the government arrests the murderers so that they can be brought to justice. Adhoc also whished that “urgent and efficient measures” be taken to reinforce the citizens’ security, and so that the election can be conducted “freely and fairly, without threats.”
The Sam Rainsy Party (SRP) also called on the government to conduct an investigation into these crimes and, on Tuesday, it supported the proposal by the US FBI to help the Cambodian police to shed light on the double murder of Khim Sambo and his son. In a common declaration, SRP MPs asked the government to accept the FBI help “so that justice prevails” and so that the protection of politicians, journalists and the citizens be assured.
The FBI proposal was favorably welcomed by Touch Naroth, the Phnom Penh police commissioner. In response to Adhoc declarations, Touch Naroth said that the number of murders have decreased in comparison to the last election campaign in 2003. Nevertheless, he admitted that there is a recrudescence of infractions during the third week of the 2008 election campaign, in comparison to the previous two weeks. “But, these infractions are all over the country. Phnom Penh, the capital, is a complicated location … That’s why there were more problems.”
