SUSPECTS in the murder of an Australian national in Sihanoukville early Monday morning have been identified and arrests are expected in the coming days, police said Thursday.

John Edward Thompson, a 47-year-old from New South Wales on Australia’s east coast, was clubbed to death with acacia branches in Sihanoukville at 1am Monday during an apparent robbery. Several branches were found lying near Thompson’s body. “The killing of the Australian man was done by a group of people. We have identified the murderers, and we expect to make arrests soon,” said Man Sour, chief of Sihanoukville Police Department.

Thompson’s 22-year-old girlfriend Van Lina said the victim was carrying just 2,000 riels (US$0.50) at the time of the robbery. Investigating officers say the couple had been living in the province, where they ran a bar for a year.

A spokesman for the Australian embassy refused to comment beyond saying “We are liasing with the police, but we are unable to divulge any information at this time.”