France Adds Weight to Kimya Death Probe Demand

In this October 26, 2017 photograph, Lim Kimya, a member of the National Assembly from Cambodia National Rescue Party, works in his office in Phnom Penh. Photo by AFP

PHNOM PENH – The French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs has condemned the murder of former opposition politician Lim Kimya and says it is monitoring the Thai investigation closely. 

It said the French government has been in contact with the deceased’s family within the framework of providing consular protection.

Kimya, a former member of the now-disbanded Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP), was gunned down on January 7 near Wat Bowonniwet Vihara in Phra Nakhon district of Bangkok.

The gunman, identified as former Thai marine Ekkal Pheanoi, fled Bangkok  to Battambang province where he was arrested by Cambodian police. The Cambodian National Police Commission said Ekkal Pheanoi had been extradited to Thailand at the request of Thai authorities.

Thai police also identified from CCTV footage a suspected Cambodian accomplice, Pich Kimrin. The Thai criminal court issued a warrant for his arrest.

Human Rights Watch added to voices calling for an open and thorough investigation. Asia director Elaine Pearson said the assassination “raises grave concerns of foreign government involvement in a politically motivated murder on Thai soil.” 

“Thailand’s response to Lim Kimya’s killing will show whether Thai authorities will accept or reject shocking crimes that may be acts of transnational repression,” Pearson said. 

Cambodian government rejects baseless accusation 

Waves of condemnation and speculation have linked the case to the Cambodian government.

The ASEAN Parliamentarians for Human Rights (APHR) said it condemned the assassination in the strongest terms.

Mercy Chriesty Barends,  APHR co-chairperson and a member of Indonesia’s House of Representatives, said, “This assassination is an unequivocal assault on the principles of democracy and a direct attack on the safety of those who defend it.”

It was “an affront to the very values of free and fair political processes in Southeast Asia.”

Cambodian Government spokesperson Pen Bona rejected any suggestion that the government was involved.

He said Thailand and Cambodia were separate sovereign countries and Cambodia had no jurisdiction to interfere in the affairs of other countries.

"Politicians and civil society organizations must clearly understand this issue and be able to differentiate. Do not make irresponsible statements by using political culture to cover up your face," Bona said.

Cambodianess

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