Thai police hunt hitman for shooting of Cambodian opposition figure
A gunman is wanted by Thailand’s police in Bangkok after he is suspected of killing a Cambodian opposition politician in a brutal attack on Tuesday.
Siam Boonsom, the chief of Bangkok police, told reporters on Wednesday that initial investigations led them to believe the shooter had been hired to carry out the shooting. The murder of Lim Kimya came as Cambodia’s former ruler Hun Sen demanded that anyone opposing the country’s regime, now headed by his son Hun Manet, should be marked as a “terrorist”.
According to Siam, “We have gathered evidence and know who is the perpetrator.”
The police chief noted that another person is also wanted, and that the victim may have been the assassin of another person.
He declined to provide further details, citing a continuing investigation.
According to a statement from Human Rights Watch’s deputy Asia director, Bryony Lau, “Thai authorities should immediately and thoroughly investigate and prosecute those responsible.”
Kimya, 74, was a member of the popular opposition known as the Cambodia National Rescue Party, which was disbanded before a 2018 election due to an alleged treason plot.
The ruling Cambodian People’s Party claimed at the time that the charges brought against it were made up.
Government accused
In recent years, numerous Cambodian opposition activists have fled to Thailand to avoid alleged home-based oppression. Some were detained and then returned to their home countries.
Hun Sen, the former prime minister, was in power for 38 years, and rights groups accuse him of using the legal system to stifle opposition to his rule. Although he stepped down and relinquished control of the kingdom in 2023, his son Hun Manet is still revered as a major force.
Sam Rainsy, Hun Sen’s longtime rival, accused him of being behind the killing.
In a statement posted on his Facebook page, Sam Rainsy  stated that “Hun Sen’s hand can be seen behind the assassination of Lim Kimya, just as it has been seen behind the countless political crimes that have always gone unpunished.
Thai authorities will handle the case, according to Cambodian government spokesman Pen Bona, who spoke to AFP news agency.
Source: Aljazeera
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