Hundreds of mourners yesterday gathered for the funeral of a prominent political commentator gunned down in broad daylight, as Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen vowed a thorough investigation.
Kem Ley, a well-regarded political analyst and grassroots campaigner, was shot dead on Sunday as he drank coffee at a convenience store attached to a gasoline station in Phnom Penh.
The slaying of the 46-year-old has shocked the nation and comes as tensions boil between Hun Sen and the nation’s political opposition.
Photo: AFP
Buddhist monks led a large crowd, many wearing black and white, at a temple in Phnom Penh where Kem Ley’s body was laid out, covered by Cambodia’s national flag and strewn with flowers.
One distressed mourner cut his arm with a razor blade in front of the victim’s body, according to a journalist at the scene, in an act of protest at the silencing of the respected analyst.
Police say they have arrested the gunman, who identified himself as Chuob Samlab — an unlikely Khmer name which translates as “meet to kill” — and confessed to killing the analyst over an unpaid debt.
However, the suspect’s apparent motive and his name have been questioned by activists in a nation where the rule of law is threadbare and criticism of powerful figures carries great risk.
Hun Sen yesterday described the murder as “a heinous act” and ordered authorities to bring anyone behind Kem Ley’s murder to book.
“I hope people will let authorities conduct their work thoroughly and avoid turning this tragedy into a political case which will lead to a troubling situation,” Hun Sen said.
“I hope that other politicians will not politicize this case to incite [people], that would lead the nation into chaos,” he added.
Washington has led the international outcry over the murder of a well-known anti-government critic.
The US was “deeply saddened and concerned by reports of the tragic killing,” US Department of State spokesman John Kirby said in a statement.
“We are following developments in this case closely, noting the Cambodian government’s call for an investigation, and urge that authorities ensure this process be thorough and impartial,” he added.
Kem Ley was critical of both the government and opposition parties, advocating for a new era of clean politics in a notoriously corrupt nation which is expected to hold a general election in 2018.
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