Journalist Received Death Threat

A journalist from Khmer Machasrok News, who is a supporter of the Sam Rainsy Party, received a death threat from a group of several bodyguards working for the Cambodian People’s Party (CPP) officials on Tuesday, April 20, 2010.

Boay Roeuy, 40, a Khmer Machasrok journalist, was intimidated while at home in Krang Thnong commune, Dangkor district. A group of bodyguards, one of whom he recognized as “Sna”, were in possession of a handgun and yelled for him to come outside of his house.

The journalist claimed that if he had come out, he would have been killed. After being subject to the threat, he lodged a complaint with Licadho and the Thnong communal police chief, because he feared that Sna was living on the other side of the street near his house.

Communal police chief Mak Mi said Tuesday that he had received the complaint on April 20, but asserted the case did not look like an attempted killing of the journalist. During Khmer New Year, he added, it was normal for people to play loud music, shout in the streets and drink beer.