3 Arrested in Beatings of Cambodian Opposition Lawmakers

[geovalin]

Neou Vannarin

November 03, 2015 1:43 PM

PHNOM PENH—

Three men have turned themselves into Cambodian police, claiming they were involved in the beatings of two opposition lawmakers last week.

The Ministry of Interior announced late Tuesday Chay Sarith, Mao Hoeurn, and Suth Vanny had turned themselves in earlier in the day. But little more information was immediately available.

The ministry said the three confessed to attacking two lawmakers from the Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP), Nhay Chamroeun and Kong Sakphea, who were dragged out of their vehicles and attacked following anti-opposition protests organized and endorsed by the ruling Cambodian People’s Party (CPP).

Video clips posted on social media show no security personnel or police intervened during the attacks, which have been widely condemned by rights groups and the international community.

Khieu Sopheak, a spokesman for the Ministry of Interior, confirmed to VOA Khmer Tuesday the government has identified persons of interest and he appealed for cooperation from the public, especially online users.

“We have not made any formal charges, but we obtained documents, evidence and images from the National Assembly’s secretariat. Authorities are appealing for cooperation from the Facebook account holders because the images on Facebook cannot be used officially without confirmation from the page owner. Nonetheless, we will have results soon," he said.


^{This report was produced in collaboration with the VOA Khmer service.}

^{Full story: http://www.voanews.com/content/three-arrested-in-beatings-of-cambodian-opposition-lawmakers/3035258.html}

[geovalin]

Three RCAF members charged for beatings

Thu, 5 November 2015

Buth Reaksmey Kongkea, Khouth Sophak Chakrya and Shaun Turton

Three men, all members of the military, were yesterday charged over the savage assault of two opposition lawmakers outside parliament last week during a pro-CPP protest, as the spotlight intensified on the role of the armed forces in the attack.

Royal Cambodian Armed Forces members Sot Vanny, 45, Chhay Sarith, 33, and Mao Hoeung, 34, each face one charge of intentional violence with aggravating circumstances and two counts of property damage stemming from the October 26 gang-bashing of opposition lawmakers Kong Sakphea and Nhay Chamroeun, a Phnom Penh Municipal Court official said yesterday.

The trio was yesterday questioned by three prosecutors, including deputy prosecutor Meas Chanpiseth, before being sent to Prey Sar prison for temporary detention.

read more: http://www.phnompenhpost.com/national/three-rcaf-members-charged-beatings

[ggt]

I wonder if these guys are licensed to beat up lawmakers in the US?