Investigation reveals hitman involved in assassination as rights groups call for immediate action
PUBLISHED : 8 Jan 2025 at 12:06
A Thai court has issued an arrest warrant for a suspected hitman in the assassination of Lim Kimya, a former Cambodian opposition lawmaker, shot dead in a crowded area of Bangkok. Police reported that the incident occurred amidst rising concerns over violence against political figures.
Lim Kimya, 74, was killed in a brazen attack on Tuesday shortly after arriving in Thailand. According to police, a gunman, who fired three shots, was waiting for him when he arrived.
Lim Kimya, a dual citizen of Cambodia and France, crossed the border into Thailand just hours before the shooting, accompanied by his wife and brother. Police have identified a 41-year-old motorcycle taxi driver as the alleged perpetrator, issuing a warrant for premeditated murder.
Pol Lt Gen Siam Boonsom from the Metropolitan Police Bureau stated that early investigations suggest the murder was contracted. “We have identified the suspect and are actively pursuing his arrest,” he confirmed.
As a member of the now-dissolved Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP), Lim Kimya faced political persecution after the party was disbanded in 2018 amid allegations of treason, which critics assert were fabricated by the ruling government.
Described by first responders lying on the scene in a blue polo shirt and white shorts, Lim Kimya’s death has prompted calls for swift action from rights organizations. Bryony Lau from a prominent human rights group emphasized the need for comprehensive investigations and justice for the victim.
The spokesperson for the Cambodian government remarked that this incident falls under the jurisdiction of Thai authorities and criticized opposition groups for attempting to implicate them in such matters.
The Cambodian and French embassies, alongside Thailand’s Foreign Affairs Ministry, have not yet commented on the situation.
In a broader context, Cambodia has been under the rule of the CPP for over four decades, with a reputation for silencing political dissent through ongoing crackdowns that have left many activists imprisoned or fled into exile. Lim Kimya’s role in the opposition was not particularly high-profile, yet the motives behind his assassination remain under investigation.
