CNRP supporters in Kompong Cham province alleged that they were threatened by a police officer who they claim said he would blow five of them up after they were accused of obstructing a road with the motorcycles, CNRP officials and the victims said Thursday.
The five men had gathered on Wednesday about 7 p.m. on the side of a dirt road 20 meters from the CNRP office in Memot district’s Chan Moul commune when a police officer arrived and questioned the group for allegedly blocking the road with their bikes, said Kel Suos, 22, one of the five.
An argument ensued during which the police officer allegedly berated the five for their political affiliation and threatened to kill them, Mr. Suos claimed.
“Now, I am concerned about my security and my safety,” he said.
Kompong Cham provincial police chief Chhay Kimson denied the accusations and said the incident was actually the reverse.
“When our police officer passed by on the street, the youths were drinking and insulting our police,” he said.
“I ordered our police to investigate more, and we will file a counter complaint because they are accusing the officers with no clear evidence. Our officers didn’t intimidate them, verbally threaten them or use the word bomb,” he said.
CNRP spokesman Yim Sovann said similar incidents of intimidation and threats have occurred in the past week in Kampot and Svay Rieng provinces.
“This is against the law…. They need to stop immediately. We appeal to the ruling party to take action immediately. The Ministry of Interior must take action. Otherwise, they are responsible for any social crisis and instability that may come,” Mr. Sovann said.
“If the CPP continues to do to this, they are the ones who will be responsible for any actions in the future,” he added.
(Additional reporting by Joshua Wilwohl)
