Two Chinese men were arrested on Tuesday night over the murder of a third Chinese man – their friend – at a restaurant in Phnom Penh.

Chan Sahouth, deputy chief of Russey Keo district police, said Uorng Faphing, 23, and Kour Yin Kuoy, 25, were arrested about 8:30pm in Prek Liep commune, Russey Keo district.  

He said the men were accused of killing their friend during an alcohol-fuelled argument at a restaurant in Russey Keo district’s Bak Kheng commune.

“They got very drunk and they had been arguing with their friend,” Chan Sahouth said. “They beat him and used a knife to cut his neck.”

He said a police investigation had determined that tempers had flared when the victim asked to borrow money from Kour Yin Kuoy to pay his rent and had become verbally abusive when the suspect refused.

“They are being detained at our police office for further questioning,” he said. “They will be sent to court for charges (today)”.