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Attackers on Cambodian opposition lawmakers face trial for intentional violence, property damage

Xinhua, April 28, 2016 Adjust font size:

A Cambodian court began on Thursday a trial against three men on the charges of intentional violence and property damage after they assaulted two opposition lawmakers last year.

The three defendants are Chay Sarith, 33, Mao Hoeun, 34 and Soth Vanny, 45. They all turned themselves in to the police a week after they dragged two opposition lawmakers, Kong Sakphea and Nhoy Chamreoun, from their cars while leaving the parliament and assaulted them last October.

They were charged with intentional violence with aggravating circumstances and property damage, which could serve a prison term of between four and 10 years if convicted.

During the trial session on Thursday at the Phnom Penh Municipal Court, Chay Sarith admitted attack on the two victims after one of them insulted him, but did not know they were lawmakers.

"If I knew (they were lawmakers), I would not dare beat them," he told the court.

Opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP) lawmakers Kong Sakphea and Nhoy Chamreoun were beaten on Oct. 26 following a protest by thousands of Prime Minister Hun Sen's party supporters who were demanding CNRP deputy leader Kem Sokha to resign as vice president of parliament.

Kem Sokha was ousted from his post as vice president of parliament four days later in a parliamentary vote by ruling party lawmakers. Endit