SRP lawmaker Nuon Vuthy had been detained for questioning last night, then released an hour later, after allegedly opening fire in Phnom Penh’s Sen Sok district, a police officer said.

According to district officer Va Sopheak, the incident occurred when the politician was driving home and was struck by another car. When Vuthy pulled over, the other driver drove away; in response, Vuthy drew a gun and shot once in the air, Sopheak said.

Vuthy, a parliamentarian for Kampong Cham province, admitted he had fired his gun, but said he did so to call for police help.

“The person who crashed into me appeared to be a security force, because he had a walkie-talkie. He crashed but tried to escape, which is why I shot into the air,” he said, adding that his gun was licensed.

The other driver, a soldier who works at the Defence Ministry, disputed this account, saying Vuthy crashed into him, then pointed his gun at him, ordering him out of the car before shooting in the air.

The lawmaker made headlines in 2008 after filing a criminal suit against the premier’s nephew, Hun To, saying he had been assaulted by bodyguards at To’s behest.

 

To contact the reporter on this story: Buth Reaksmey Kongkea at [email protected]