Three members of the security forces were charged yesterday with intentional murder for the killing on Sunday of local journalist Taing Try after only three hours of questioning at Kratie Provincial Court.

After the alleged confessions of the suspects on Monday, they were handed over to the court where deputy prosecutor Thuch Panchak Santepheap said yesterday that they had shot Try, 49, in the head at about 1am on a road in the province’s Snuol district following an argument over the group’s alleged illegal logging activities.

“We have charged the three with intentional murder, because they killed him immediately,” he said.

Try worked for a local publishing network, and had been accused of extorting money from officials involved in the illegal timber trade in the past.

Ex-soldier La Narong, 32, policeman Pin Heang, 32, and military policeman Khem Pheakdey, 27, could face up to 20 years in prison if guilty.