Cambodian police look for killers of journalist

PHNOM PENH: Cambodian police say they’re looking for four suspects in the beating death of a journalist, but are uncertain whether the killing was related to the victim´s work.

Mom Hun, a district police chief in central Kampong Chhnang province, said Suon Chan was at home drinking with a friend Jan. 31 when an argument began with the suspects as they walked past. It turned into a fight, with both sides using stones and sticks, and the journalist died in a hospital Feb. 2.

The Cambodian Center for Human Rights said it was suspected that Suon Chan was killed for reportedly writing in the newspaper Meakea Kampuchea about illegal fishing, but Mom Hun said it was unclear whether he was targeted for that reason or simply became involved in a drunken brawl.