A gun, bullets and two Cambodia National Rescue Party caps were laid out on a table yesterday during a press conference at Phnom Penh Municipal Police headquarters to announce the arrest of six alleged robbers.

Police said the males, aged between 16 and 24, most of them students, had been arrested after robbing victims of their motorbikes, iPads and phones as they travelled on the street.

Deputy municipal police chief Chuon Narin said he suspected the group also used drugs.

“These suspects are being questioned further before their case is sent to the court,” he said.

Police added that some of the men had CNRP stickers on their own motorbikes and possessed party caps.

No explanation was given as to why the CNRP hats were displayed alongside weapons and stolen goods.

The arrests came days after television stations ran news features in which CNRP campaigners were accused of “gangster” behaviour and drug use.

CNRP spokesman Yim Sovann said those who committed crimes must be dealt with according to the law.

“But please, authorities, don’t link crime to politics to defame the CNRP,” he said.

Police said an officer broke his leg during a struggle.