Outspoken parliamentarian Son Chhay (BLDP) said Tuesday he is concerned about a threat on his life published last week in a local newspaper and is considering legal action.
Son Chhay, who in October became the first self-exiled lawmaker to return after July’s factional fighting, also said he is consulting friends and colleagues on whether he should leave the country.
“I don’t want to chicken out, but if I can find another way to do my work [I might leave],” Son Chhay said.
He said he suspected he was followed in Siem Reap on Monday, a day before he learned of the article. He said he also was threatened about three months ago.
Chakraval, known as a pro-CPP newspaper, reported Friday that relatives of people allegedly killed by resistance General Nhiek Bun Chhay were requesting that Son Chhay be shot to death as revenge if Nhiek Bun Chhay is given amnesty.
The article came two days after Son Chhay told Radio Free Asia that Nhiek Bun Chhay should be given amnesty for national reconciliation and to pave the way for the scheduled July 26 election.
Keo Sophoan, Chakraval’s publisher, said Tuesday that he was too busy to talk about the article.
A human rights worker said the National Election Committee should denounce the article, saying, “It’s important to be very strong in response the first time so it doesn’t become a pattern.” (Reporting by Jeff Smith, Ham Samnang and Khuy Sokhoeun)
