A man who police called an activist for the opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party was arrested yesterday for allegedly destroying a ruling Cambodian People’s Party election banner. The opposition, however, denied he was a member.

Provincial police chief Chhay Kim Son said the suspect, Rin Chea, 30, was a known activist who destroyed the CPP banner in front of a house in Kampong Cham’s Suong commune on Sunday morning.

“He wasn’t drunk because this happened in the morning,” Kim Son said, adding that a bamboo stick had been used. “He intended to do it.”

Kim Son added that it was not the first time Chea had been accused of such activity.

But Kuoy Bun Roeun, a provincial CNRP legislator, said there was nothing to suggest the accused was an opposition activist.

“It’s unfair of them to accuse him. Besides, at least 70 CNRP banners have been destroyed here in this campaign, but police have never arrested suspects. It’s discrimination,” he said.

Bun Roeun added that Chea could simply be a supporter of the CNRP.