Cambodia premier calls on tycoon who assaulted TV star to face justice
PHNOM PENH (AFP) - Cambodia's premier on Thursday called for a property tycoon, whose vicious assault on a popular TV star was caught on video, to return to the country and face justice after he went on the run.
Ek Socheata, better known by her stage name SaSa, described to AFP on Thursday the terrifying moment when wealthy property magnate Sok Bun and his armed bodyguard attacked her in a Phnom Penh restaurant.
CCTV footage emerged last week of the assault, fuelling public anger in impoverished Cambodia, where violence against women is commonplace and the wealthy are often seen to be beyond the reach of a corrupt judicial system.
"He used his boots to step on my body and head, he kicked me and he used his boots to stomp on my face and nose," said 28-year-old SaSa.
"I am aware of domestic violence (in Cambodia), but this violence was so cruel. His beating was not to scare me, he was trying to kill me," she added.
Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen said Thursday he was angered that Sok Bun, whose whereabouts are unknown, had yet to hand himself in to police.
"I have asked Sok Bun to appear at the court very soon," he said during a speech at a student graduation ceremony.
"You have already admitted to attacking her... come quickly," he added, describing the assault as "excessive".
The attack on SaSa took place in the early hours of July 2 in a Japanese restaurant in the capital.
