A 31-year-old man was shot dead Monday by a military police officer in Konpong Thom province after he tried to escape from police custody, though police and military police officials claimed the victim had been killed by accident. A human rights group yesterday denounced the theory that the shooting had been an accident and called on police to carry out a thorough investigation. Lork Vong, Sandan district military police commander, said that Soy Sok Hoeum had been involved in a fight with several other people on Sunday night during Pchum Ben festivities. The following day, four military police officers brought him to the Tomring commune police office for questioning. After making the police report, three of the officers left for dinner and asked military police lieutenant Ouk Chhin to stay and watch Mr Sok Hoeum. "When the military police officer was by himself, the victim tried to run away, and so the officer chased him, "said Mr Vong."He slipped, and the handgun was probably knocked onto the ground, causing an accidental shooting that killed the victim." He added that after the shooting, Mr Chhin fled the scene, but that military police and police are still looking for him. "According to the law…he has to be prosecuted and fined," said Mr Vong. Sandan district police chief Oung Moly also said that Mr Chhin had not intended to kill the victim. "He should not be careless," He said, without elaborating. Am Sam Ath, senior monitor for rights group Licadho, expressed doubt that Mr Sok Hoeum's death had been an accident and said that this was only one of many cases in the country where police or military police kill or injure people while using the excuse of accidental gunfire. "When the incidental," he said. "Military police officers should not use weapons if people are unarmed." "If there isn't a thorough investigation, the cultures of 'accidental gunfire' will not stop," Mr Sam Ath said.
The Cambodia daily
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