A military officer was arrested on Sunday night over allegations that he had used his gun to beat and threaten a younger romantic rival, police said yesterday.

According to Major Seng Sokheng, a penal police officer with the Sen Sok district police, Royal Cambodian Armed Forces Third Lieutenant Long Chaota, 31 – an officer with the Ministry of National Defence’s Message Transmission Unit – attacked 21-year-old Hy Sothea, whom he suspected of having an affair with his mistress and “forcing” her to use drugs.

“He got very angry with the victim for having a love affair with his mistress, and for always bringing her [for a ride] with him and forcing her to use drugs,” Sokheng said yesterday.

“He then rode a motorbike to follow the victim while [Sothea] was riding around carrying his mistress in Teuk Thla commune at night,” he continued.

“He stopped the victim and beat him, and pulled a gun from his waistband and pointed it and threatened to kill the victim,” he added.

“But police on guard there immediately intervened for the victim.”

Chaota was then arrested at about 8:30pm, with his gun and motorbike confiscated by police.

Police preliminarily charged him with “attempted intentional murder”, and placed him in detention in Sen Sok district.

He is slated to be sent to the Phnom Penh Municipal Court for questioning this morning.

Chaota could not be reached for comment yesterday.