France’s ambassador to Cambodia met with a top Cambodian police official on Monday to discuss the investigation into last month’s fatal shooting of a former opposition lawmaker in Bangkok.
Lim Kimya, 74, a former member of parliament for the banned opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party, was gunned down on Jan. 7 just after arriving in the Thai capital with his wife and uncle. He was a dual French and Cambodian citizen and had been a frequent critic of the Cambodian government.
Thai police have charged suspected gunman Aekaluck Paenoi, a former Thai Marine who was arrested on Jan. 8 in Cambodia’s Battambang province and extradited to Thailand on Jan. 11.
Thai authorities later issued an arrest warrant for Ly Ratanakrasmey, who they believe masterminded the assassination. Ly Ratanakrasmey is a former adviser to Senate President Hun Sen, the longtime ruler of Cambodia.
They have also issued an arrest warrant for Pich Kimsrin, who they said followed Lim Kimya on a bus from Cambodia to Bangkok and acted as a so-called “spotter” for Aekaluck.
Cambodian authorities haven’t arrested either of the two men.
Prime Minister Hun Manet has angrily denied any involvement by the government or his father, Hun Sen, in the planning of the shooting and pointed to the quick arrest of Aekaluck as evidence of Cambodia’s cooperation.
‘Shed full light’
Lim Kimya’s body was transported to France, and a funeral was held at a Cambodian Buddhist pagoda near Paris on Jan. 16.
His wife, Lim Ani, told Radio Free Asia last month that she filed a complaint related to the shooting in France and was questioned by French judicial authorities. The French embassy has stated that it is determined to keep tabs on the Thai investigation.
There were few details available from Monday’s meeting between the French ambassador, Jacques Pellet, and Dy Vicha, the deputy commissioner of National Police.
“France is closely following the Thai authorities' investigation in order to shed full light on the facts,” the embassy said in a Facebook post that was accompanied by a photo from the meeting.
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RFA was unable to reach National Police spokesman Chhay Kimkhoeun and a representative of the French Embassy to ask about the discussion.
Cambodian authorities should arrest the other two suspects -– both of whom are Cambodian citizens –- so that Thai police can find the truth about the killing, said Yin Mengly of human rights group Adhoc.
“Whether you are willing or not, you must cooperate in the international arena,” he said. “If you don’t cooperate and don’t show it clearly, we will have difficulties with our government’s reputation in the international arena.”
Translated by Sum Sok Ry. Edited by Matt Reed and Malcolm Foster.