Cambodian journalist investigating illegal logging shot
Veteran reporter Chhoeung Chheung, 63, was shot in the abdomen. Police arrested a suspect, but claims the attack was due to a "personal dispute" rather than the journalist’s ongoing investigations. Human rights groups are unconvinced by this version of events. Since 1994, at least 15 journalists have been killed in the Southeast Asian country.
Phnom Penh (AsiaNews) – A veteran investigative journalist was the victim of an attack on Wednesday. His latest work involved investigating a controversial logging operation on the borderline of the law in a wildlife sanctuary in the north of the country.
The 63-year-old Chhoeung Chheung was riding his motorcycle two days ago, travelling on the road leading to the Boeung Per Sanctuary, Chikreang district (Siem Reap province), Radio Free Asia (RFA) reported, citing police sources (and Chhoeung’s wife Chiev Chap).
Suddenly, in an ambush, persons unknown shot at him, hitting the stomach, seriously wounding him.
His wife said that the reporter was able to provide some details relating to the attack, noting that his attackers were hiding in the forest that runs along the road, and then fired at him as he drove by.
Chhoeung, who works for the online Kampuchea Aphivath (Cambodia Development) publication, had previously reported on the destruction of natural resources in a community forest in the wildlife sanctuary.
He was eventually taken to Siem Reap Provincial Hospital, where doctors removed a bullet from his abdomen. “He was seriously injured and called me to come and get him,” Chiev Chap said.
Police have already arrested a suspect on charges of attempted murder; however, investigators claim that the shooting was the result of a “personal dispute" unrelated to the reporter’s work.
The suspect, 40-year-old Si Loeuy, allegedly used a homemade weapon and confessed to the shooting under questioning, Siem Reap provincial authorities said in a statement.
This version of events is unconvincing to human rights and environmental groups.
“It is regrettable that the gunman shot at the journalist,” said In Kongchit, the manager of human rights group Licadho’s office in neighbouring Banteay Meanchey province.
“This was an attempt to commit murder,” he added. For this reason, “On behalf of civil society, we request that the authorities and the governor of Siem Reap province help investigate the perpetrators and punish them according to the law.”
It has been years since a journalist has been shot in Cambodia, this according to Nop Vy, executive director for the Cambodian Journalists Alliance Association, or Camboja.
Now “this is happening again,” he lamented. “I am deeply saddened and I request the authorities to expedite the arrest and punishment of the perpetrators.”
Since 1994, at least 15 journalists have been killed in the Southeast Asian country, the Cambodian Center for Human Rights said in a statement released in October.
Twelve were working on stories that directly threatened prominent figures or people connected to people in power.
One of the victims was journalist Traing Try, who was shot dead in the north-eastern province of Kratie in 2014 while travelling with a group of colleagues to investigate illegal logging in the area.
Two years earlier, leading environmentalist Chut Wutty was accompanying two journalists from a local newspaper to witness what he believed was illegal logging when he was shot and killed by military police in the south-western province of Koh Kong.
A report by Camboja found seven cases of harassment against 11 different journalists between April and June 2024.
It also reported six cases of judicial harassment involving 10 journalists, summoned by military police and local authorities who were questioned, detained and punished.
.png)
