French Ambassador to Cambodia Jacques Pellet met with Dy Vichea, Deputy Chief of Cambodian National Police, on Monday to discuss measures taken by Cambodian authorities in relation to Thailand’s investigation into the assassination of Lim Kimya, a dual French-Cambodian citizen and former opposition lawmaker.
Lim Kimya, 74, was a former Member of Parliament (MP) of the disbanded Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP). He was elected in the 2013 election where ruling Cambodian People’s Party (CPP) led by former Prime Minister Hun Sen faced a near-defeat to the opposition.
On January 7, Kimya was shot dead in Bangkok by Thai national Ekkalak Paenoi, a former Thai marine. He was arrested in Cambodia the following day and extradited to Thailand on January 11.
“Regarding Lim Kimya’s murder in Bangkok, France is fully mobilized. We continue to closely follow the investigation ordered by Thailand to fully establish the facts,” the French Embassy said in an email to CamboJA News.
While Ekkalak has confessed to killing Kimya, he has refused to reveal who hired him. Thai authorities identified two suspects in connection to the murder, Cambodian nationals Pich Kimsrin and Ly Ratanakraksmey. Arrest warrants have been issued for both men—Kimsrin is accused of acting as a spotter and Ratanakraksmey allegedly hired the gunman.
The International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol) issued a red notice for Kimsrin at Thailand’s request. However, there have been no updates on the investigation into the two Cambodian suspects. Interior Ministry spokesperson Touch Sokhak and National Police spokesperson Chhay Kim Khoeun did not respond.
On February 18, Kimya’s son Lim Thomas criticized the handling of the investigation in a Facebook post, suggesting a disparity in law enforcement efforts.
“The police are very strong in finding opponents. However, when someone kills an opposition MP, the culprits can walk free on the streets in Cambodia,” he wrote.
He questioned the lack of action against the two Cambodian suspects. “That’s called double standards. How do you explain that Ly Ratanakrasmey and Pich Kimsrin are still out there?”
Candlelight Party Secretary General Ly Sothearayuth urged the government to cooperate fully with relevant authorities to ensure justice for Kimya by arresting those involved in his murder.
“We, like the public, want justice for Lim Kimya and his family by holding those responsible accountable and eliminating impunity to protect Cambodia’s reputation,” he said.
Political analyst Meas Nee warned that Cambodia’s slow response could elicit criticism, especially in comparison to Thailand, which identified the suspects within a week, even as the two Cambodian suspects remain unaccounted for after entering the country.
“We must distinguish between the responsibility of a government and a crime; no matter where, the government has a role to protect and provide justice to all citizens,” he said.
“Any delay in the investigation or lack of cooperation will raise concerns about transparency in the justice system,” he said, adding that a thorough probe would dispel suspicions of collusion.
Police spokesperson Kim Khoeun has previously told CamboJA News that Cambodian authorities had not received any formal requests from Thai officials regarding the Cambodian suspects in the case.
Meanwhile, Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet said the authorities are prepared to cooperate with Thai investigators and are keen to ascertain the “motive” for the assassination. He also denied that his government or his father, Hun Sen, were involved in the killing of the opposition politician.
