Accused secessionist in Kratie to meet with the press
The man police allege was behind a so-called secession plan in Kratie province – an accusation used to justify a crackdown in which a teenager was killed last week – plans to hold a press conference to defend himself in the next two days, his brother said yesterday. Hundreds of heavily armed police and military police assisted by a helicopter stormed Pro Ma village in Chhlong district’s Kampong Damrei commune on Wednesday and opened fire on villagers with automatic weapons, killing 14-year-old Heng Chantha. The Ministry of Interior said they ordered the operation because a group known as Democratic Association, which they alleged was led by Bun Ratha, was planning to create an independent state in the village. Eight people have been arrested in connection with the accusations. …
