Cambodian PM sues opposition leader, senator for false accusations

Phnom Penh, Aug 1 (IANS) Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen on Monday sued opposition leader Sam Rainsy and senator Thak Lany for accusing him of having political analyst Kem Ley murdered.

The lawsuits have been filed against the two in the Phnom Penh Municipal Court, Xinhua news agency reported.

The complaints were made after Sam Rainsy, leader-in-exile of the opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party, wrote on his Facebook that the government was behind the murder of Kem Ley, while opposition senator Thak Lany, during a public forum, accused the Prime Minister of having Kem Ley murdered.

The complaints said that their slanderous allegations "are incorrect" and "severely affect" the reputation and prestige of the government and the Prime Minister.

In the lawsuits, the Prime Minister suggested that the court punish the duo in accordance with law and demanded a compensation of 100 riel (2.5 US cents) from each of them.

Kem Ley, 46, director of the Organization for Social Development, was shot dead at a mini-mart in Phnom Penh on July 10.

Police arrested a 38-year-old suspect with a Glock pistol shortly after the murder, according to National Police spokesman Kirt Chantharith.

The Phnom Penh Municipal Court on July 13 charged the gunman with premeditated murder and illegal possession of a firearm.