Cambodia PM urges arrest of opposition attackers

By Lauren Crothers

PHNOM PENH

 The Cambodian prime minister has sought to distance himself from those who brutally beat two opposition MPs, saying in a speech that the perpetrators should be brought to justice.

Hun Sen arrived back in Cambodia on Wednesday after spending three days in France. During that time, protests were held in Paris against his rule and the imprisonment of 21 monks, political activists and a senator in separate cases.

After Hun Sen had said in France that counter-protests would be held in Phnom Penh, a mob beat Cambodia National Rescue Party lawmakers Nhay Chamroeun and Kong Saphea after they left the National Assembly on Monday. Both are being treated for their injuries in Bangkok.

On Thursday, the Phnom Penh Post quoted Hun Sen as having said that the men who carried out the attack—which was caught on security cameras and smartphones—“must be arrested and face legal action”.

The report said he also asked for footage of the beatings to be handed in.

But he also differentiated between the rally—which was held to call for the resignation of CNRP deputy and National Assembly vice president Kem Sokha—and the beatings, saying that the protest ended at 11pm and the attacks happened an hour later. A mob also gathered around Sokha’s house and threw rocks at it in the afternoon.

The Interior Ministry has established a commission to investigate the attacks, but ministry spokesman Khieu Sopheak could not be reached on Thursday. Calls to CNRP spokesman Yim Sovann were also unsuccessful.

Speaking to Anadolu Agency on Wednesday, political analyst Ou Virak said he wouldn’t be surprised if those responsible are arrested, but believes the authorities may treat them more leniently.

On Thursday, Virak told Anadolu Agency he doesn’t believe Hun Sen was directly involved in ordering the beatings.

“I think he was sending mixed messages and people might have gotten the wrong signal and followed through with the attack, but I don’t think he was directly involved,” he said. “He must have known who is behind it and has a lot more information than we know,” he added.