Officials from rights group Adhoc refused on Friday to take an out-of-court settlement for what they claimed was an attempt on three staffers’ lives last month.

Adhoc provincial coordinator Sok Ratha said that he and staff members Bun Chantha and Le Kao had been invited to police offices in Mondulkiri to discuss compensation to settle the matter of Vila Development company supervisor Pen Sokhom allegedly using his car to run staffers’ motorbikes off of the road as they were investigating villagers’ complaints against the company.

“The company 100 per cent wanted [to settle the matter out of court],” he said. “I want the court to take legal action.”

Hou Dara, chief of penal police in Mondulkiri, confirmed he had met staffers to discuss compensation, but said he would send the case to court.

Dara also maintained that Sokhom – who could not be reached for comment – had stopped his car before getting too close to the Adhoc staffers, whom he had simply wanted to talk with.