A Thai court has issued an arrest warrant for Somwang Bamrungkit, an adviser to Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen, in connection with the assassination of Lim Kimya, a former opposition leader, raising concerns about political violence in the region.
Thai Authorities Issue Arrest Warrant for Adviser to Hun Sen Linked to Political Assassination
Thai Authorities Issue Arrest Warrant for Adviser to Hun Sen Linked to Political Assassination
An adviser to Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen, Somwang Bamrungkit, is accused of orchestrating the murder of former opposition politician Lim Kimya in Bangkok.
A Thai court has officially issued an arrest warrant for Somwang Bamrungkit, known in Cambodia as Ly Rotanakraksmey, in the case concerning the assassination of Lim Kimya, a former Cambodian opposition legislator. This warrants stems from the gunman's brazen shooting of Lim Kimya on a busy street in Bangkok, which authorities are now treating as a politically motivated killing.
Lim Kimya, who held dual Cambodian and French citizenship, was shot last week as he disembarked from a bus traveling from Cambodia. Following the incident, the assailant fled the scene on a motorcycle but was subsequently apprehended and extradited to Thailand. Identified as Ekaluck Paenoi, he confessed to the murder but expressed fear for his family's safety, thereby withholding details about the masterminds behind the plot.
The arrest warrant for Bamrungkit charges him with premeditated murder and includes additional charges related to firearms. His present location remains unknown, raising questions about the potential for political interference, given Bamrungkit's close association with Hun Sen, who has been in power for nearly 40 years.
In a statement from Sok Eysan, spokesperson for the ruling Cambodian People’s Party, the direct involvement of Bamrungkit was downplayed, emphasizing individual accountability for illegal actions. Nonetheless, the situation paints a troubling picture for Cambodian dissidents like Sam Rainsy, who have openly condemned what they believe is the orchestrated violence by Hun Sen's regime against opposition figures.
As tensions rise, this incident has sparked fears about the safety of political dissidents both in Cambodia and abroad, shedding light on ongoing human rights issues under Hun Sen's government.
