Cambodia decides to charge political analyst's murder suspect

A Cambodian man, who had been arrested on suspicion of slaying prominent political analyst Kem Ley, could face a life imprisonment if convicted, a court spokesman said on Wednesday.

Chuob Samlab, 38, was arrested shortly after he shot dead Kem Ley, director of the Organization for Social Development, at a mini-mart in Phnom Penh capital on Sunday morning.

"After questioning and examining documents and evidence in the murder case on Kem Ley, the prosecutor decided to charge the suspect with two counts -- premeditated murder and illegal possession of a firearm -- under Article 200 and Article 490 of the Criminal Code," Phnom Penh Municipal Court spokesman Ly Sophanna told reporters.

Premeditated murder will be punished by a life imprisonment, as illegal possession of weapon will be jailed from six months to three years, according to the Kingdom's Criminal Code.

National Police spokesman Gen. Kirt Chantharith said on Sunday that Chuob Samlab was arrested with a Glock pistol shortly after the crime.

He said the suspect confessed to the crime, saying that he got furious with Kem Ley, who owed him 3,000 U.S. dollars, but did not repay him.

However, Gen. Chantharith said, the police did not believe the suspect's confession yet, as a full investigation was still going on. Endit