Police have arrested a man over the fatal stabbing of a deputy district police chief in Battambang province on Friday night and will send him to court today to face a charge of premeditated murder, officers said yesterday.

Hem Hoeut, 37, is accused of stabbing Srey Vannra, also 37, in the back with a bayonet, said Battambang deputy provincial police chief Chet Vanny.

“We have completed questioning procedures and will send him to court,” Vanny said. “[This] stabbing is a serious crime and we’re calling it a premeditated murder case.”

Vannra was the deputy police chief of Banteay Meanchey province’s Mongkol Borei district.

Hoeut was married to a woman who later became Vannra’s wife – without a legal divorce first – and it is believed the attack was an act of revenge, spurred by jealousy, Vanny said.

Vannra was attacked in Battambang town while he was travelling with another of his wives, police said. Hoeut was arrested the next day.