Monday, March 8, 2010

Ninth acid attack in 2010 shows need for tighter laws: group

Mom Kunthear

Phnom Penh Post

OFFICIALS have recorded another acid attack in the capital, the ninth reported assault this year, as a committee continues to mull over a proposed law meant to counter the violent crimes.

The latest attack happened Tuesday evening in Phnom Penh’s Sen Sok district, when assailants on a motorbike poured a beer bottle full of acid on a couple as they were on their way home from a restaurant, authorities said.

“They poured acid into a bottle of Angkor beer and then [later] doused the victims,” said Tan Narin, the governor of Toek Thla commune. “But they were not so seriously injured because the offenders used a weak form of acid.”

The governor identified the victims as Chhiv Sreyleak, 25, and her boyfriend, Hen Kosal, 24. The woman suffered injuries to her face and parts of her body, and the man sustained injuries to his back, he said.

Tan Narin said investigators suspect the attack was the result of a “love triangle”.

However, authorities reported difficulties in conducting an investigation because the victims have not cooperated, refusing to meet with police. “It is difficult to arrest the perpetrators because neither of the victims is cooperating with the police,” said Kith Sophal, the military police chief in Sen Sok district.

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1 comment:

  1. We are hopeful that Cambodia will soon see a change in the law to help seek justice. The survivors are often fearful of counter attacks so keep silent. Acid Survivors Trust International campaigns to eradicate this violence through multilateral approcahes; govt policy/community and medical help www.acidviolence.org

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