Prey Veng provincial court yesterday charged five suspects with the murder of a woman who worked at a local casino in Preah Sdech district on Tuesday, following the arrest of four men on Saturday.

Provincial police chief General Tim Phan said yesterday that Ngin Chunny, 22, Phouk Than, 18, Rin Sophaneth, 20, and 18-year-old Sor Choeun had been charged with the murder of 20-year-old cas-ino dealer Chhuon Nika in Banteay Chakrei commune’s Broh Sna village.

“They were charged [yesterday] with murder,” he said, adding that 20-year-old suspect Pin Ngoy had also been charged with murder but remained at large. “[Four suspects] have already been sent to be detained at the provincial prison to await their trial.”

District police officer Hong Sothea said that about 6:30 pm on Tuesday, Chhuon Nika had left the casino with six other staff to buy sweets at a village market.

As they returned to the casino an hour later, they met  a group of five young men on two motorbikes wielding wooden sticks and knives.

He said six people had managed to escape on foot, but Chhuon Nika fell to the ground and was beaten until she died.

“[Chhuon Nika] was beaten by the suspects until she was dead. She was later thrown into the river, and her body was found in the river on October 27,” Hong Sothea said.

He added that suspects had told police under questioning that they hated the women who worked at the casino because they were too proud.

“We are still working hard to arrest another suspect who has escaped,” Hong Sothea said. “We already know his identity and address. We hope that we will be able to arrest him soon.”