PHNOM PENH —
Activists for the opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party in Siem Reap have found an unexploded grenade, near a site where opposition leaders were expected to hold a meeting Thursday.
The rusty grenade was found less than 50 meters from where Rescue Party leaders Sam Rainsy and Kem Sokha were meant to stand during a rally, officials said.
Party officials called it an act of intimidation, as the opposition continues to reject election results and to call on supporters to rally in their support next week.
“It was found near a route where people walk every day,” said Ke Sovannroth, a representative of the Rescue Party in Siem Reap. “We also just checked the place yesterday afternoon and found nothing. Why just today?”
Thursday’s grenade was actually the third one found as the country’s post-election crisis continues, officials said.
Sort Nady, chief of Siem Reap police, told VOA Khmer that the Cambodian Mine Action Center had removed the grenade from the site. He said it had likely come from a nearby reservoir and had probably been unearthed when people removed land from the bottom of the reservoir. “It was from a long time ago,” he said. “It cannot cause any danger.”
Nou Puthyk, provincial coordinator for the rights group Lichado, said the group would investigate the discovery further.
The rusty grenade was found less than 50 meters from where Rescue Party leaders Sam Rainsy and Kem Sokha were meant to stand during a rally, officials said.
Party officials called it an act of intimidation, as the opposition continues to reject election results and to call on supporters to rally in their support next week.
“It was found near a route where people walk every day,” said Ke Sovannroth, a representative of the Rescue Party in Siem Reap. “We also just checked the place yesterday afternoon and found nothing. Why just today?”
Thursday’s grenade was actually the third one found as the country’s post-election crisis continues, officials said.
Sort Nady, chief of Siem Reap police, told VOA Khmer that the Cambodian Mine Action Center had removed the grenade from the site. He said it had likely come from a nearby reservoir and had probably been unearthed when people removed land from the bottom of the reservoir. “It was from a long time ago,” he said. “It cannot cause any danger.”
Nou Puthyk, provincial coordinator for the rights group Lichado, said the group would investigate the discovery further.
