The case of a gang of ethnic Vietnamese who allegedly assaulted 15 Cambodian fishermen was yesterday sent to Siem Reap Provincial Court, following the arrest on Tuesday of a Vietnamese man purportedly involved in the brawl, say Prasat Bakong police.

“We are now preparing this case for court, accusing him of intentional violence,” said district police chief Min Chantha, noting that suspect Dou Yangthan owns a fish farm in Chong Kneas floating village.

According to authorities, the dispute broke out in Kampong Phluk commune on Monday night when the Vietnamese men allegedly drove two motor boats with illegal nets into an area where Cambodian fishermen had laid their own.

Despite the latters’ warnings, the Vietnamese continued their activities, cutting into the locals’ nets. When an argument erupted, the suspects called on 30 to 40 friends, who arrived and beat the Cambodians before escaping.

“We have already identified some of them . . . but we need to investigate more,” Chantha said, explaining that the arrest was made following cooperation between district and provincial military police.