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Three Cambodian soldiers confess to beating lawmakers

Thursday, 05 November 2015 8:45 AM [ Last Update: Thursday, 05 November 2015 8:45 AM ]

This AFP picture taken on November 4, 2015 shows Cambodian suspect Mao Hoeun (C) and Chay Sarith (top 2nd R) being escorted by police officials at Phnom Penh municipal court.

Three members of the Cambodian military have been charged after turning themselves in for beating and injuring two opposition lawmakers last week, police sources say.

Cambodian police said on Thursday that the three men had confessed to beating Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP) MPs Kong Sakphea and Nhoy Chamreoun during a pro-government rally, following an October 26 parliament session.

"They said they are military, but I don't know which units they are from," said Sok Khemarin, director of the penal police department and a member of a committee investigating the incident.

The soldiers have been identified as Chay Sarith, 33, Mao Hoeun, 34, and Suth Vanny, 45.

They have been charged for intentionally committing an act of violence and the intentional damage of property. Each charge carries a maximum penalty of five years in jail.

The incident occurred after more than 1,000 pro-government protesters surrounded the parliament building in the capital, Phnom Penh, calling on the CNRP’s Vice President Kem Sokha to step down as the first vice president of the parliament.

Meanwhile, Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen has called on protesters to refrain from violent acts.

Tensions between the country’s ruling People’s Party (CPP) and the opposition have been on the rise since the controversial elections in 2013, which led the CNRP to accuse the government of stealing victory through vote-rigging.

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