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Cambodian PM sues opposition leader, senator for accusing him of having political analyst murdered

Xinhua, August 1, 2016 Adjust font size:

Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Techo Hun Sen on Monday sued opposition leader Sam Rainsy and opposition senator Thak Lany for accusing him of having political analyst Kem Ley murdered.

Ky Tech, a lawyer for the prime minister, filed two lawsuits against the duo to the Phnom Penh Municipal Court.

The complaints were made after Sam Rainsy, leader-in-exile of the opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party, wrote on his Facebook that the government was behind the murder of Kem Ley, just as opposition senator Thak Lany, during a public forum, accused the prime minister of having Kem Ley murdered.

The complaints said that their slanderous allegations "are incorrect" and "severely affect" the reputation and prestige of the government and the reputation and dignity of the prime minister.

The complaints added that the groundless accusations have also had the characteristics of inciting public anger that could cause social chaos.

In the lawsuits, the prime minister suggested that the court punish the duo in accordance with law and demanded a compensation of 100 riel (2.5 U.S. cents) from each of them.

Kem Ley, 46, director of the Organization for Social Development, was shot dead at a mini-mart in Phnom Penh on July 10 when he was having a coffee.

Police arrested a 38-year-old suspect with a Glock pistol shortly after the murder, according to National Police spokesman Gen. Kirt Chantharith.

The suspect identified himself as "Chuob Samlab," which translates in English as "Meet Kill." He confessed to the crime, claiming that he got furious with Kem Ley, who owed him 3,000 U.S. dollars, but failed to pay him back, according to the spokesman.

The Phnom Penh Municipal Court on July 13 charged the gunman with premeditated murder and illegal possession of a firearm, who could face a life imprisonment if convicted. Endit