Si Heap, the mother of Boeung Kak activist Tep Vanny, is treated at Calmette hospital after she was shot in the head with a marble at Wat Phnom late last night. Photo By KOAM CHANRASMEY
IN A brutal show of force, dozens of police and thugs dressed in civilian clothes descended on a peaceful vigil at Wat Phnom last night, and set upon the roughly 20 protesters with slingshots, batons and electric prods.
At least six people were injured, while an additional five were treated at Calmette Hospital for slight wounds. An unknown number of people – journalists and rights workers among them – sustained injuries from electric prods and marbles fired from slingshots by men in facemasks who appeared to be under police protection.
The forces arrived at about 10pm last night, just as the protesters were clearing up the area where they had staged a demonstration for peace – spelling out the word “justice” with candles.
As they left the area, according to witnesses, police and a group of young men began shooting marbles into the group with slingshots.
“They were hidden behind the stupa and wearing civilian clothing,” Boeung Kak activist Bo Chorvy said.
Several witnesses said the group appeared to be intent on catching high-profile activist Tep Vanny, who ran into a car when the clash began and was allowed through the gates of the US Embassy – only after the windows of the car had been smashed in by the attackers.
Her mother, Si Heap, was among those badly wounded after a longan-sized marble was slung between her eyes.
Also seriously injured was activist Nhet Khun, 73, who was shot in the chest with a marble and may have suffered a lung injury, according to witnesses at Calmette. Doctors were not immediately available for comment.
“The police arrived with [electric prods] and ran after me and my friend and began kicking him,” said Phan Chunreth, who sustained a head injury after being kicked to the ground by police. “It was the police who did that, but the other men came at us with sticks.”
As journalists and human rights workers approached the scene shortly after 10pm, thugs armed with electric batons, sticks and slingshots chased them down the street while police looked on. Several journalists and rights workers were shocked with the electric prods and hit with marbles as they ran away, while a Post journalist had his camera smashed.
According to Chorvy, a US Embassy vehicle attempted to enter the area but was forced to turn around by police.
Stunning as the brutality was, however, a marked lack of police presence chilled many. Unlike at the incidents at Stung Meanchey and the Kbal Thnal overpass, few – if any – officers were sent to the scene after violence broke out.
Over the course of an hour and a half, only a single truck carrying a dozen military police officers drove through the nearly deserted streets leading to Wat Phnom.
“I think they’re trying to kill all Cambodians,” an agitated Bopha Vi said, while watching the thugs wave tasers in the air in the distance. “The boys try to kill us and the police try too.”
Military police spokesman Kheng Tito said he was unaware of the incident but defended the actions saying, “the people wanted to do something, but our force stopped [them], would not allow them to do anything.”
1 comment:
The polices (with Yuon/Vietnamese dog eating brains) who hit the innocent Khmer/Cambodian people and foreign journalists are real Yuon/Vietnamese dog eaters who secretly hid/has been hiding in Khmer police uniforms and cover with masks or helmets. Those who hit Khmer protesters and foreign journalists are not Khmer, but they are really hidden Yuon/Vietnamese scumbags with Yuon/Vietnamese brains. They deserve be beaten up and shot to death. It is NOT fair.
Again, any police and military bodyguard who hits, shoot and kill Khmer civilians and protestors is not Khmer/Cambodian police, but they are really evil Yuon/Vietnamese hidden agents in Khmer/Cambodian police and military uniforms. Watch out on them and look out for them, then destroy them. That is all we have to do.
We will spread the words about those evil Yuon/Vietnamese killers (secret hidden Yuon/Vietnamese faces) in Khmer police and military uniforms to the U.S. or EU embassies and international community by sending letters. We will tell foreign journalists that watch the hidden Yuon/Vietnamese police in Khmer/Cambodian policemen and military uniforms are very dangerous and they should be reported to the UN and International community. Why they try to make the U.S, EU, and foreigners that only Khmer policemen hit and hurt their own people. Khmer/Cambodian policemen and military armies have their sons, daughters, mothers, fathers, relatives, wives, husbands, etc living in Cambodia and they are very good Khmer/Cambodian soldiers and policemen who are not violent.
Again, Khmer people and youths, please look out for those fucking Yuon/Vietnamese policemen hiding in Khmer policemen uniforms and scream or make a lot of noise to the public if they hit Khmer civilians, protestors, old ladies, Khmer and foreign journalists. Please keep an eye on the fucking policemen with Yuon/Vietnamese brains who hit those innocent Khmer civilians, Khmer protesters, Khmer/Cambodian and foreign journalist and reporter.
We kick and beat them to death if they dare to hid our Khmer people and journalists including foreign journalists.
We will write the letters to the U.S., UN and EU Officials about those Yuon/Vietnamese secret hidden faces or agents who were ordered and told what to do by evil Hanoi masters in evil Vietnam.
Don't worry we will spread the words about that. Just stay alert.
Khmer should be united as one.
Thank you for listening.
Khmer Yeurng.
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