A KAMPONG Cham man has been remanded into custody following a grenade attack in Chamkar Loeu district that killed two young boys Wednesday, court officials said.

Than Sophak, a prosecutor at Kampong Cham provincial court, said Sunday that Em Sovan, 42, was charged Saturday with premeditated murder and the use of an illegal weapon.

“He didn’t confess to the two charges, which is normal for the offender,” he said. He added that the suspect did not have a lawyer, but that one would be provided by the court.

On Wednesday evening, a grenade was thrown into a grocery store in Chamkar Loeu, killing two boys and injuring 10 other people, who were immediately sent to a local hospital.

Provincial police Chief Nuon Samin said Em Sovan, also known as Lok Vanna, was detained later that evening after four witnesses linked him to the attack.

As of Sunday, Nuon Samin said, the 10 attack victims were in stable condition at a hospital in Kampong Cham.

Police say they believe the grenade attack stemmed from a long-running business dispute between the suspect and his victims, who lived about 100 metres away from each other in the village.

If found guilty on both charges, Em Sovan could face life in prison, Than Sophak said.