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PHNOM PENH — A suspect in the killing of former Cambodian Member of Parliament Lim Kimya in Bangkok was arrested in Cambodia and sent to Thailand where he will face legal procedure.
Identified as Ekkalak Pheanoi, a Thai national and former marine, the suspect was handed over to the Thai authorities at the Poipet border crossing on Jan 11.
The Cambodian authorities on Jan. 8 had apprehended the suspect in connection with the shooting of Lim Kimya, a former member of the now-dissolved Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP).
Ekkalak Pheanoi is believed to have fled Bangkok and taken refuge in Battambang province after killing Kimya on Jan. 7 near Wat Bowonniwet Vihara, a prominent Buddhist temple located in Bangkok’s Phra Nakhon district.
Kimya, who was 74 years old, served as a CNRP member of parliament from 2013 to 2018. His political career was interrupted in 2017 when the Cambodian court dissolved the party, leading to a ban on political activities for many of its members.
Prior to his involvement in politics, Kimya had worked as a civil servant for the French Ministry of Economics and Finance from 1982 to 2014.
His assassination has sparked strong condemnation and demands for a thorough and transparent investigation from rights groups and opposition leaders.
Cambodian Government spokesperson Pen Bona has rejected any suggestion that the government was involved.
Stressing that Thailand and Cambodia were separate sovereign nations, he pointed out that Cambodia had no jurisdiction in Thailand and could not interfere in the affairs of that or other countries.
“Politicians and civil society organizations must clearly understand this issue and be able to differentiate, “Ona said. “Do not make irresponsible statements by using political culture to cover up your face.”