A human rights group has determined that a Sam Rainsy Party activist shot to death in Kompong Cham province last week probably was killed for political reasons.
Through its investigation, the human rights group Adhoc concluded that Sam Rainsy Party activist Heng Sean—who was also an informant for Adhoc—was killed by three men dressed in military uniforms because of his work with the opposition party.
“The victim was likely killed for political reasons,” said an Adhoc official Tuesday. “The killers did not steal anything from the victim and he had no personal disputes with any villagers.”
On Friday, three men shot and killed Heng Sean in his house in Tbong Khmum district, Kompong Cham province. Provincial police have not identified any suspects and have made no arrests.
According to the Adhoc investigation, the three killers went to two houses before finally arriving at Heng Sean’s house. At the first house, the perpetrators shined a flashlight as if searching for something or someone before leaving, the Adhoc official said.
At the second house, the three perpetrators again shined a flashlight and then quickly left. They did not steal anything from either house, the Adhoc official said.
When they arrived at Heng Sean’s home, the perpetrators shined a flashlight into the house and then left. About 20 minutes later, Heng Sean went to the yard to investigate who had entered his house. When Heng Sean stepped into the yard, he was shot twice in the chest with an AK-47, the Adhoc official said. No possessions were taken from Heng Sean.
“His neighbors and wife said Heng Sean had no personal conflicts with other people,” the Adhoc official said.
Police in the area dispute the claim that Heng Sean was killed for political reasons.
“According to our investigation, the victim had some problems with other people about his work,” said Chay Kim Son, deputy police chief of Kompong Cham province, who confirmed that the perpetrators visited two houses before arriving at the victim’s house on the night of the shooting.
