The Preah Sihanouk Provincial Court on Wednesday charged two Cambodian men with theft and attempted rape and placed them in provisional detention after they allegedly attacked a Japanese tourist on Koh Rong island as she sat alone on a beach in the early hours of Tuesday, police said.
Sun Chamnap, 26, and Khat Saveth, 30, were arrested on Tuesday afternoon, after Chiharu Yabuki, 30, told police that the men had tried to rape her at about 4 a.m., according to deputy provincial police chief Kol Phally.
“We arrested two suspects at about 3 p.m yesterday on Koh Rong following the complaint from the victim,” Mr. Phally said. “Both men attempted to rape her, then stole all of her belongings.”
After they were apprehended, he added, the suspects led police to a hiding place on the island where they had stashed Ms. Yabuki’s property, including a passport, two smartphones and $200 in cash.
Sarath Vichea, chief of the provincial police’s serious crimes bureau, said the tourist escaped after biting one of the men as he tried to kiss her.
“While the men tried to remove her clothing to rape her, she bite one of the suspects on the mouth,” he said. “The victim fought back and then shouted for help.”
In September 2013, 55-year-old Californian Katherine Grgich was murdered in a similar attack on Koh Rong. The prime suspect remains at large.
