Senior Cambodian Opposition Member Assaulted, Remains Unconscious in Hospital
2020-10-19

A senior member of the banned opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP) was brutally assaulted in Cambodia’s capital Phnom Penh Monday by two unidentified men on a motorbike, leaving him unconscious and in the hospital, according to his wife.

Din Varin, secretary general of the CNRP’s executive committee and an elected councilor for Phnom Penh’s Meanchey district, was hit in the head with a rock by his assailant while walking on the street after visiting a cafe, knocking him out and causing severe bleeding, his wife Chan Sopheak, also known as Chan In, told RFA’s Khmer Service.

His injury has been complicated by serious hemorrhaging, she said of her husband, who has also been vomiting blood since the incident. The assailants fled the scene and police have said they are investigating the case.

At least 10 CNRP activists and officials have been beaten since late 2019, mostly by motorbike-riding attackers targeting their heads. None of the perpetrators have been arrested.

Chan In said she does not believe the assault was the result of a personal matter, as her husband was not involved in any disputes and owes no money.

She told RFA her son had filed a complaint with the Chak Angre Krom administrative police station. But said she does not trust them to follow through because assailants involved in the beatings of opposition activists in many cases are rarely sought, let alone brought to justice.

“Whenever I go anywhere, I want to carry a stick or a machete,” she said. “I'm not afraid anymore now—I can do it for my husband.”

“Why did they turn to assaulting my husband? They dissolved the party he supported and now they assault him. He was unarmed and merely helped me earn our daily living. My husband never had any arguments with anyone.”

Chan In said she and her husband sell vegetables and pork at the Chak Angre Krom market. She said that since the dissolution of the opposition party, her husband had switched careers to help transport meat and run their market stall.
https://www.rfa.org/english/news/cambod ... 72314.html

UPDATE: Thugs on Motorbikes, Version 2022

Cambodian opposition official hospitalized after motorbike attack
Observers say the incident is yet another example of political intimidation
By RFA Khmer
2022.07.18
A group of 10 people on motorbikes on Sunday attacked an official of Cambodia’s main opposition Candlelight Party, causing a severe head injury that required hospitalization, the official told RFA.

Nol Pongthearith was on his way to a meeting and on his own motorbike in front of the Candlelight Party office at Por Senchey district in the capital Phnom Penh when he was allegedly attacked by 10 people on four motorcycles. They shouted death threats and struck him, including on the back of his head, with an iron bar.

He said he was bruised and bloodied all over his body and required 12 stitches.

On Monday, Nol Pongthearith told RFA’s Khmer Service that he was forced to leave the hospital prematurely to continue his treatment at home to ensure his safety. He remains in pain and his wounds require further treatment.

“I am concerned for my life because the assailants shouted that [they] wanted me dead. This is not normal,” he said, adding that he believes that he was targeted because he is a member of the Candlelight Party.

Candlelight Party officials have complained for several months about incidents of violence and bullying by local officials representing Prime Minister HE’s ruling Cambodian People’s Party (CPP), especially in the run up to the June 5 local communal elections. The Candlelight Party ended up winning about one-fifth of the country’s contested commune council seats.

Police have received Nol Pongthearith’s complaint and require his cooperation to investigate, Phnom Penh Municipal Police spokesman San Sok Seiha told RFA.

San Sok Seiha however urged the victim and journalists not to connect his assault with politics or similar incidents in the past before an investigation is completed.
https://www.rfa.org/english/news/cambod ... 90840.html