Suspect in murder of Cambodian political analyst goes on trial

The trial of the man, who allegedly killed Cambodian political analyst Kem Ley at a mini-mart in Phnom Penh last year began on Wednesday.

The man was arrested soon after the murder on July 10 and identified himself as Chuob Samlab, meaning "Meet Kill."

At the hearing at the Phnom Penh Municipal Court (PPMC), Chuob Samlab, 39, confessed to the murder, claiming that Kem Ley cheated him out of 3,000 U.S. dollars in 2015.

The suspect said Kem Ley promised to offer him a job and build him a house when he gave Kem Ley 3,000 U.S. dollars, but the 46-year-old political analyst did not keep his promises.

"I did it alone and no one hired me to kill him," Chuob Samlab told the court.

He said he bought a pistol from a Thai man at a price of 45,000 Thai Baht (1,284 U.S. dollars) in mid April, 2016 while working in Thailand and traveled to Phnom Penh to kill Kem Ley in early July.

He said he found Kem Ley in a mini-mart and fired two shots at his head and neck at point-blank range.

PPMC's Deputy Prosecutor Ly Sophana said Chuob Samlab was charged with premeditated murder and illegal possession of a firearm.

Under the Kingdom's Criminal Code, the suspect would face a life imprisonment if he's convicted.

After a four-hour hearing, PPMC's Presiding Judge Leang Samnath said the verdict against Chuob Samlab will be pronounced on March 23. Endit