Mongkol Borei district deputy police chief Ly Chhun Kong said five men were arrested after a 15-year-old boy was attacked by seven men armed with swords in an incident which saw the victim lose his right arm.

Chhun Kong said at about 8pm on March 16, in the district which is in Banteay Meanchey province, seven men assaulted Deth Van Lyda as he rode his motorbike alone near the Huy Leng market.

He said that earlier, Van Lyda’s older brother got into an argument with the suspects after flirting with one of their girlfriend’s.

“One of the suspects confessed that he had no intention to attack the victim, but was directing his anger towards his brother.

He said: “When he [Van Lyda] rode his motorbike, we thought that it was his brother as they look alike. We chased and hacked him, not realising [it was the younger brother],” he said.

Kong said two of the men escaped as police were busy sending the victim to a hospital for medical treatment. The five men who were arrested also fled the scene but were arrested shortly afterwards.

Police know the identities of the escapees and are on the lookout for them, he said. The victim is receiving treatment at Mongkol Borei Cambodia-Japan Friendship Hospital.

Chhun Kong said police will send the suspects to court on charges of attempted murder.

“A 22-year-old suspect is the perpetrator and lives in the district’s Chamnoam commune. An 18-year-old suspect is the ringleader who incited the others to commit the crime,” he said.