The Ratanakkiri Provincial Court has summonsed for questioning Kim Seanglay, a military policeman who was the subject of one of slain journalist Hang Serei Oudom’s articles on the illegal timber trade, Chhay Thi, an investigator for the rights group Adhoc, said yesterday.

“Questioning the relevant residents and the officials can shed some light to lead to the arrest of more [people] involved with the killing, and the key sources are [members of] the victim’s family, who could give many clues,” Thi said.

According to their lawyer, the victim’s mother, wife and daughter will testify today.

Im Chanthy, the pregnant wife of the victim, said she will testify about her late husband’s alleged run-in with Seanglay – who is the son of the deputy provincial military police commander and who reportedly sideswiped Serei Oudom’s car in an attempt to run him off of the road in April after being linked to illegal logging in an article.

“I just told what happened in relation to my husband; however, the court is the one giving the judgment and justice for us,” she said.

In their complaint to Adhoc, Serei Oudom’s family alleged the reporter could be heard over the phone on the night of his disappearance talking to military police officer An Bunheng – who, along with his wife, was arrested as a suspect in the case.

To contact the reporter on this story: Chhay Channyda at [email protected]