Siem Reap provincial police Monday were searching for information and suspects in the acid attack in Svay Leu district that left a young woman badly hurt.
Horn Ya, 20, was doused with a bottle of acid as she slept in her home around dawn Feb 12, Siem Reap Provincial Penal Police official Duong Sokha said. She had been a mistress to a man named Sieth for the past five months and had argued frequently with him, he said.
Sieth was not present during the attack, Duong Sokha said.
Horn Ya was taken from Anlong Thom village in Khnang Phnom commune to the provincial hospital in Siem Reap town, arriving about five hours after the attack. Police said her right eye could go blind, and much of her face and upper body have been severely burned.
An empty bottle and another full bottle filled with acid were found at Horn Ya’s house, police said.
Police are investigating whether Sieth or Sieth’s wife are responsible for the attack, although Duong Sokha said no evidence has been found that would point the finger at either person.
A wave of acid attacks swept Cambodia in early 2000 after a high-profile attack against karaoke singer Tat Marina.
No arrests have been made in that case, despite allegations that Khuon Sophal, wife of government official Svay Sitha, ordered the attack after she learned of an affair between her husband and the young woman.
