PM Bodyguard Implicated in Alleged Shooting

A member of Prime Minister Hun Sen’s personal bodyguard unit who allegedly shot a man last week in Koh Kong province is walking free while the shot man was charged Saturday and remains in jail, a rights group alleged yesterday.

Koh Kong Provincial Court on Saturday charged 32-year-old Lok Likea with causing intentional injury, while releasing the alleged bodyguard and shooter, Hun Moa, the same day without pressing charges, said Licadho provincial coordinator In Kongchit.

Mr Likea was arrested Thursday at a provincial hospital after being shot in the shoulder while fleeing a fracas outside a karaoke club in Khemara Phoumint City, Mr Kongchit said.

The alleged shooter, a 32-year-old member of the prime minister’s bodyguard unit, was also arrested along with a witness, but both men were released on Saturday, Mr Kongchit said.

According Mr Kongchit, Mr Likea went to the karaoke club with several friends to confront a group of men he said had pushed him off his motorcycle earlier that evening, when a fight broke out between the groups, allegedly prompting Mr Moa to fire shots into the air to disperse the groups.

Mr Kongchit said Mr Likea ran when he heard the gunshots and Mr Moa shot him in the shoulder as he ran down the street.

Licadho and Mr Likea’s family do not agree with the court’s decision to charge Mr Likea and not the alleged shooter, Mr Kongchit said.

“Now, the family of the victim is finding a lawyer to help them,” he said. Provincial penal police chief Sok Nhor said both men were involved in an altercation outside a karaoke club in Khemara Phoumint City on Thursday night.

Mr Nhor confirmed that Mr Moa is a bodyguard, but would not say whom he works for.

General Hing Bunheang, commander of the Prime Minister Bodyguard Unit, hung up when contacted by a reporter yesterday.

Deputy provincial prosecutor Srey Makny and investigating judge Neang Sam Nab declined to comment.

 

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