The Son Sann Party threatened Monday to pull out of upcoming elections unless an arrest is made in a deadly grenade attack on a Takeo party activist’s home.
“If the government cannot arrest these criminals who committed these savage and unlawful acts…the political atmosphere will not allow the opposition parties to participate in the forthcoming elections,” a party statement released Monday read.
A grenade blast Saturday killed two party members, Khieu Khy and Khieu Nuon, and wounded three, including their brother, district party chief Khieu Rama.
Party President Son Soubert said Monday that a final decision would be made about one month before the elections, now scheduled for July 26.
“We have not decided completely, but if it continues like this it is better to stop,” Son Soubert said. “I think if it will not be free and fair and credible elections, why should we be an accomplice to them?”
Funcinpec parliamentarian Om Radsady, who is to contest this year’s elections with the non-aligned Funcinpec offshoot Sangkum Thmei, warned that a boycott could be counterproductive for the opposition.
“If there is a boycott, it means automatic elimination of some political parties, so the main political party in power will get more opportunity,” Om Radsady said.
“This [attack] could be a provocation to get the parties to go straight to the boycott,” he theorized.
