Kidnappers abducted 13 people—including a landowner, his workers, wife and children—in Koh Kong province on Sunday, according to a victim and provincial police.
All were released after a ransom was paid.
Four men dressed in RCAF fatigues entered the farm of 50-year-old Hem Meng near Stung Chhay village on Saturday and marched him, his wife, seven children, three workers and one bystander into a heavily forested area in Sre Ambel district, according to Tham Sann, Koh Kong deputy police chief.
Four damlung of gold jewelry, $350 and a hand phone were initially taken, Tham Sann said. Police are investigating.
The group of 13 was taken into the forest by the gunmen, who did not try to hide their identity, Hem Meng said by phone on Wednesday. They beat Hem Meng and his wife, tied their hands behind their backs and demanded $10,000, he said.
Hem Meng bargained the ransom down to $5,000 and was sent back Sunday to retrieve the money, which he said he borrowed from friends.
“The kidnappers warned me that I would be kidnapped again if I reported the incident to the police,” he said.
They also threatened to seed his farm with land mines, he added.
Another farmer who lives close to the victims and asked not to be named said he and his workers have abandoned his farm since the abduction.
“I’ve been frightened since I heard about the incident,” he said.
