MILITARY police arrested three suspects in Kampong Thom province on Wednesday after one of their officers said he was kidnapped and tortured for hours at the offices of employees working at a wildlife sanctuary.

The three suspects are officials at Boeung Per Wildlife Sanctuary in Kampong Thom’s Prasat Balang district, according to Yit Sam Oeun, the province’s deputy military police chief.

Lun Pheap, a 40-year-old military police officer, says he was held in chains and beaten for five hours before being rescued by his colleagues, Kampong Thom military police chief Soam Sim said.

Soam Sim added that the victim had apparently been drinking with two of the three suspects when the pair attacked him and stole his motorbike.

Lun Pheap subsequently went to fetch a rifle and handcuffs from a local police station in the hope of arresting his assailants, but instead was allegedly captured by the suspects and held for hours.

“It was very brutal violence,” Soam Sim said. “The victim was chained and severely beaten.”

Lun Pheap was taken to a local hospital for treatment. The three suspects were to be sent to court Thursday and could face charges of illegal confinement and battery, Yit Sam Oeun said.