Amid reports that police were rounding up suspects in the killing of Chea Vichea, Deputy Municipal Police Chief Heng Pov dodged questions about the union leader’s slaying and scolded human rights groups and the media for their inquiries.
“Four suspects have been arrested,” Heng Pov told Agence France-Presse on Wednesday.
Sources close to the case said up to six have been detained since Tuesday night.
Heng Pov would not answer questions Wednesday about the suspects’ identity or what evidence police might have against them.
“I almost switched off my phone from receiving calls from newspapers and human rights groups,” he said. “I made an arrest and I do not want to have it printed. I want to find out who is masterminding this plan.”
Many in the international community are closely watching how police handle the killing of Chea Vichea, who was a prominent Sam Rainsy Party activist and critic of the government. Opposition members, government critics and even King Norodom Sihanouk have said the killing is linked to politics.
Chea Vichea, 40, was shot dead Thursday morning at a Phnom Penh newsstand. Witnesses said two men stopped in front of the stand and one shot Chea Vichea at close range. Neither of the men hid their faces, witnesses said.
The shooting is perhaps the most high-profile in a series of assassination-style attacks in the capital that have claimed at least eight victims in the past year. Most of those cases have gone unsolved.
Heng Pov alleged that the attention the case has drawn could interfere with the investigation.
“When I ask newspapers not to print something, they print it,” he fumed, declining to answer more questions about reports of arrests.
Though authorities declined official comment, witnesses and police officials said at least four men were taken into police custody in Tuol Kok district Wednesday morning. Two police officials who asked not to be named said the men were staying in the home of Colonel Suong Sopul, of RCAF’s Information and Propaganda Department.
The officials identified the suspects as Sok Sam Oeun, 36, Phork Kim, 25, Prak Salim, 39, and Suong Sokha, 30. A handgun, ammunition, handcuffs and a pistol holster were confiscated from the house, they said.
“These four men were staying inside the one house,” one officer said. “The colonel told the investigator that they are his privates.”
“Among the four, one is the wanted suspect,” he said.
Arrests were confirmed by Municipal Police Chief Suon Chheangly on Wednesday. He would not disclose details of the arrests or how many suspects were involved, saying he was away from the capital and did not know what action police had taken.
His deputy, Muong Khim, said three suspects were questioned Tuesday but would not elaborate.
“If we speak out then it would destroy the police investigation,” said Muong Khim.
Municipal prosecutor Sok Roeun said there was no arrest warrant but that he gave permission to raid a suspect’s house.
Prime Minister Hun Sen urged police to bring a swift resolution to the case Wednesday, one day after Heng Pov released to media outlets the sketch of a main suspect. Witnesses to the shooting said police never consulted them about the sketch or questioned them in their investigation.
Police are expected to release information about the arrests today.
Meanwhile, leaders of the Garment Manufacturers Association in Cambodia offered a condolence gift of $10,000 to Chea Vichea’s partner, Chea Kim Ny, on Wednesday. Chea Kim Ny is the mother of Chea Vichea’s daughter and is seven months pregnant by the slain union leader.
(Additional reporting by Kate Woodsome and Lor Chandara)
