A woman was arrested Tuesday after her former boyfriend was doused with acid at a Tuol Sangke commune guest house, where the couple had spent the night, police said Wednesday.
Chen Chantho, 20, a garment-factory worker was arrested after the attack, which Tuol Sangke Police Chief Khath Daracy said was prompted by jealousy. She is a resident of Trapaingpo village in Dangkao district’s Chaom Chau commune.
Her former boyfriend, Yeth Thearith, 24, suffered acid burns on 80 percent of his body. A resident in Daung village, Kanhchom commune, in the Pea Reang district of Prey Veng province, he repairs electronics in Phnom Penh.
“We have little hope to rescue the acid attack victim because he has serious injuries,” Khath Daracy said. “The doctor said he will die soon because the doctors cannot rescue him.”
Yeth Thearith and Chen Chantho were sweethearts for a few months, Khath Daracy said, but he recently ended the relationship, saying he was engaged to another girl.
Yeth Thearith called up his former girlfriend, however, and arranged to meet her Monday, the police chief said. The two had a picnic and then went to the guest house.
Midday Tuesday a cleaning woman heard shouting from the couple’s room, Khath Daracy said. House managers, other cleaners and guests broke into the room and saw Yeth Thearith on the floor, covered in acid. The acid had dissolved most of his clothes, the police chief said. Chen Chantho had some acid on her face and her hands, he added.
“We don’t know who is the attacker because the conflict happened inside their room,” Khath Daracy said. “However, the girl must be arrested because the victim’s relatives filed a lawsuit against her.”
Chen Chantho told police that Yeth Thearith wanted to attack her with acid but she saw what was going on. She told police she started to fight and got hold of the acid bottle, pouring acid all over her former boyfriend.
The police chief said Yeth Thearith told his relatives Chen Chantho attacked him with acid.
