Man sought in mob killing of rape suspect

Police in Mondulkiri province are seeking the arrest of a man suspected of inciting the fatal mob beating on Tuesday of a man accused of raping his wife in Pech Chreada district, police said.

Pech Chreada district police chief Sovann Rith would not identify the suspect, but named the victim of the beating as Prey Veng native Un Srun, 31.

According to Rith, while the suspect was sleeping outside, Srun allegedly snuck into the darkened tent of the suspect’s 26-year-old wife around 10pm and began having sex with her, presenting himself as her husband.

Mid-coitus, however, the woman became aware that Srun was not her husband and screamed for help.

The victim told police that nearby workers rushed to the scene and began beating Srun, Rith said. After Srun died, he was sent to the village health centre.

“The husband hit the roof, because his wife was raped, but legally he will still be sentenced. But his wife is also the victim, so I have to wait and see what action [to take] from the upper management,” Rith said.