'Sorcerer' decapitated by villagers in Cambodia

[geovalin]

A CAMBODIAN man was decapitated in an attack by villagers after he was accused of being a sorcerer in a nation that strongly believes in black magic.

The victim, 55-year-old Khieu Porn, was hacked to death with axes by unknown attackers on Saturday night when villagers were celebrating a rice harvest ceremony, according to Som Chantha, a district police chief in the southern province of Kampong Speu.

The man was killed by at least six suspects a short distance from the ceremony site, he said by telephone, adding he was a traditional healer who fell under suspicion after a number of people died in his home area.

"He had some magic powers and some people accused him of practising black magic,'' Mr Chantha said.

"His wife divorced him and remarried another man who died just a week after their marriage ... then some people in the commune also fell ill and died, so people accused him of using witchcraft.''

Mr Chantha said police were investigating the case although no suspects had yet been identified.

The killing and harassment of people accused of witchcraft is not uncommon in rural Cambodia, where professional medical care is often lacking and traditional "Kru Khmer'' healers offer a cheaper alternative.

Some 80 per cent of Cambodia's people live in rural areas, often in villages with no doctors, let alone a hospital.

The most obscure power of the healers pertains to the spirits. Many Cambodians believe Kru Khmer have the capacity literally to blow bad spirits out of the body.

But Chan Soveth, an investigator at local rights group Adhoc, said those accused of black magic were often attacked and there had been several cases of people being killed in recent years.

"Cambodian society hates witchcraft,'' he added.

http://www.news.com.au/world/sorcerer-decapitated-by-villagers-in-cambodia/story-fndir2ev-1226806283576

[Showbags]

"Khmer have the capacity literally to blow bad spirits out of the body."

Think they took it a tad too far

[mesquite]

So how does it go?

"Captain, we have evidence Boonyer is practicing black magic."

"OK. Bring him in for questioning."

[tubby johnson]

Welcome to the Dark Ages

[bangon04]

Another source of national pride to be "harmonised" throughout ASEAN

[phantomfiddler]

80% living in rural (ie poor) areas ? Sounds like an ideal playground for an unscrupulous politician

[Pompey50]

Bad place for Harry Potter to go on his hols then

[pacovl46]

Wow!!!

[monkeycountry]

Remember, alot of the people in Isaan (and elsewhere in Thailand) believe in similar stuff, and still some people on this forum claim we are all equally intelligent when it comes to voting

[dighambara]

'Kru Khmer'... Khmer Guru..?? Knowledge of the ancients..?? Black Magic..??

Sounds like no one truly wants help, just someone to blame for any misfortune...

[Maggusoil]

Remember, alot of the people in Isaan (and elsewhere in Thailand) believe in similar stuff, and still some people on this forum claim we are all equally intelligent when it comes to voting

Do they? That is hard to believe. I haven't seen any.