Five Suspects Arrested in Hospital Assault Case in Cambodia

Police in Banteay Meanchey province have arrested five suspects in connection with an assault that occurred at a hospital in Serei Sophorn city. The victim sustained minor injuries. The incident took place on July 25th around 5:00 PM in front of the Serei Sophorn Referral Hospital, located in Prohut Village, Ou Ambel Commune, Serei Sophorn City. The victim, Chan Sreynoch, 26, a resident of Chankiri Village, Ou Chrov Commune, Poipet City, was accompanying her brother at the hospital when she was attacked by a group of approximately 10 individuals who arrived in two vehicles. After the assault, the perpetrators fled the scene. According to Sreynoch's statement, the motive for the attack stemmed from a dispute on Telegram a few days prior with Tea Chanthorn, 23, a resident of Phnom Penh. Chanthorn, described as being in a same-sex relationship with Sreynoch, had agreed to meet Sreynoch at a location provided via Telegram. However, on the evening of the incident, Chanthorn brought accomplices and traveled from Phnom Penh to carry out the assault at the hospital. Following the incident, specialized forces from the Serei Sophorn City Inspectorate and the Ou Ambel Police Post, in cooperation with the Criminal Department of the Banteay Meanchey Provincial Police and the Criminal Department of the National Police General Commissariat, launched an investigation. They identified the vehicles used in the attack as a GTV (license plate Phnom Penh 2CD-4972) and a Lexus RX300 (license plate Phnom Penh 2k-7089). Further investigation led the authorities to a location in Borey Phay Star Residence, located in Srok Thum Village, Choeung Keub Commune, Kandal Steung District, Kandal Province, where the suspects were believed to be hiding. With the cooperation of the Deputy Prosecutor of the Banteay Meanchey Provincial Court and the Deputy Prosecutor of Kandal Province, as well as the attention of the Governors of Banteay Meanchey and Kandal provinces, five suspects were apprehended along with one vehicle, a GTV (license plate Phnom Penh 2CD-4972). The arrested suspects are: 1. Sambath Prohm Mony, female, 24 years old. 2. Sambath Prohm Mony, female, 21 years old (wielded a metal rod and struck the victim). 3. Tea Chanthorn, female, 21 years old, residing in Krang Svay Village, Prek Kompus Commune, Dangkor District, Phnom Penh. 4. Yiv Lihong, male, 17 years old. 5. Eam Panya, male, 13 years old, residing in Prey Korb Village, Poipet Commune, Poipet City. During interrogation, the five suspects confessed that they were a group of eight and that three accomplices, along with another vehicle, had fled. These accomplices are identified as: 1. Reak Thena, male, 21 years old. 2. La Kannika, female, 19 years old, residing in Prey Korb Village, Poipet Commune, Poipet City. 3. Reak Thelong, male, residing in Krang Svay Village, Prek Kompus Commune, Dangkor District, Phnom Penh. The suspects admitted to driving two vehicles into the hospital and engaging in a struggle with and assaulting the victim. The police are continuing their search for the three fugitives and the remaining vehicle. The arrested suspects are currently undergoing legal procedures and will be sent to court. Source: CEN Cambodia