Tuesday, 15 July 2008

US condemns killing of Cambodian journalist

TVNZ, One News
Jul 14, 2008

The United States condemned on Monday the killings of a Cambodian journalist and his son, warning it could have a "chilling effect" on the media ahead of a general election later this month.

The US embassy in Phnom Penh said the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) was ready to help Cambodian authorities investigate the drive-by shootings of Khim Sam Bo, 47, and his 19-year-old son on Friday.

Also on the weekend, a senior member of the ruling Cambodian People's Party (CPP) was attacked with acid by an unknown assailant, police said.

"Violent, criminal acts such as this can have a chilling effect on the media, and paired with the acid attack against CPP Secretary of State Ngor Srun, risk undermining citizens' confidence in their ability to fully participate in the electoral process in safety and security," the embassy said in a statement.

Cambodia's top opposition Sam Rainsy Party and major journalist guild have also condemned the killings they say are part of a campaign of intimidation in the runup to the July 27 vote Prime Minister Hun Sen is widely expected to win.

"This clearly demonstrates the nature of those in power," the Sam Rainsy Party said on Saturday, adding the killers of opposition politicians in the past were never arrested.

Police said the motive for the killings remain unknown.

On Friday, a gunman on a motorcycle shot five times at the victims as they were leaving a sports stadium.

Khim Sam Bo worked for more than 10 years for the Khmer Conscience (Moneaseka Khmer) newspaper, whose editor Dam Seth was recently accused of defaming Foreign Minister Hor Namhong.

The charges were later dropped.

Colleagues said he had written stories exposing corruption by senior government officials in the Hun Sen government.

Source: Reuters

No comments: