Cambodia’s policeman shot young journalist on the head and one man dead

Phnom Penh (September 15, 2013): A riot policeman on Sunday night shot a young journalist and journalism student at the Royal University of Phnom Penh on the head while he was viewing a crowd confronting with police. At least one man was killed instantly and some 20 others were wounded, human rights worker at the scene told New Youth.

Ly Bela who is also an intern journalist of “New Youth” print and online and Cambodia News online said while he was viewing the event, a policeman shot him on head from about a few meters. “A policeman shot me but luckily, the bullet hit my head on the left side and is slightly wounded but it is much bleeding and swollen now. I cannot move to any clinic since thousands of police and protesters are confronting each other now,” he told New Youth newsroom by telephone.

Ly Bela returned to Phnom Penh from his village in Sa-arng district of Kandal province and he was blocked with hundreds of people by the police because the police think that the people would join the rally of the opposition party — Cambodian National Rescue Party (CNRP).

Hundreds of gunshots have been heard and at least three smoke grenades have been thrown near a gasoline station. Several Armored Personnel Carrier and armed forces have been beefed up to confront with thousands of people now.

Cambodia has been in political crisis between the ruling and opposition parties since July 28 national election. Cambodian People’s Party (CPP) wins 68 out of 123 parliamentary seats and CNRP gets 55 seats.

The CNRP has rejected the results saying that its party’s results have been stolen and alleged National Election Committee (NEC) as the thief who helped steal the election results for CPP.

King Norodom Sihamoni on Saturday officially recognised the controversial results, paving the way for Prime Minister Hun Sen’s Cambodian People’s Party (CPP) to rule the country for the next five years.

During a close door and rush meeting on Saturday morning at the Royal Palace between Prime Minister Hun Sen and CNRP leader Sam Rainsy, the King handed over invitation letters to the two political foes to kick off the first meeting of the National Assembly on September 23, 2013.

However, CNRP leaders on Sunday have led some three hundreds of thousands of protesters in the Freedom Park in Phnom Penh for mass demonstration and they denied the King’s invitation. They also called all candidates of the national assembly members from CNRP not to join the meeting on September 23. Ratanak / New Youth