A preliminary investigation by Cambodian and Thai authorities has called into question the story of a Cambodian man who crossed into Poipet town Tuesday to tell police his wife had been brutally gang raped and murdered before his eyes, border official Sao Veasna said yesterday.

According to Veasna, an officer at the Cambodian-Thai border relations office, a consulate employee in Thailand had “searched with Thai authorities and found that it did not happen as the husband claimed”.

Veasna added that the border relations office would continue to investigate and co-operate with Thai authorities through the Cambodian consulate, but said the complainant, Pe Sareth, had disappeared.

To contact the reporter on this story: Sen David at [email protected]