A former opposition party activist was arrested on July 11 shortly after he allegedly destroyed the Cambodian People’s Party (CPP) sign in Takeo province’s Pea Ream commune.

According to Ngan Sary, Bati district police chief, local CPP members had installed the sign where a sign of the former Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP) once stood, enraging Nul Sokha, 45, who went at the sign with an axe.

After receiving a complaint about the incident, police arrested Sokha at around 9am.

“The CNRP’s sign was removed after the party was dissolved [last year] and it was replaced with the CPP’s. He was angry and destroyed the CPP’s sign with an axe,” Sary said.

Sary added that Sokha had been booked for kicking down the same sign on July 4. He was released after signing an agreement not to repeat his actions.

Sokha was this time sent to the provincial police station and charged for intentionally damaging a political party sign. If convicted, he faces a fine of up to 20 million riel ($5,000).