Dam Sith, editor in chief for the Khmer Conscience News, which is closed related with the major opposition Sam Rainsy Party (SRP), has secretly fled Cambodia for U.S. for the sake of his safety, national media said Monday.
Sith was once jailed over accusation by Foreign Minister Hor Namhong for defamation. His part-time colleague, journalist Khim Sambo, was shot dead on street and the murderer is still at large.
"Dam Sith has left because his life was in danger," English-Khmer language newspaper the Mekong Times quoted SRP deputy secretary general Mu Sochua as saying.
"His career as an editor is under threat as one of his colleagues was killed and the authorities haven't found the killers. Politics is also involved as he is a SRP member," she added.
Meanwhile, SRP lawmaker Son Chhay said that Dam Sith had been very worried about his safety and with the help of SRP, he received a visa from the U.S. Embassy before the general election in July.
Mu Sochua said that the editor in chief will return to Cambodiaas soon as the situation becomes stable and his personal safety is ensured.
More than 10 reporters and editors have been killed since the 1990s in the kingdom. None of the cases are settled yet.
Source:Xinhua
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