Chao Vuthy, the chief of the serious crime bureau at the provincial police station, said on Wednesday that the men were workers at a Kandal province brick factory.

“The suspect was arrested by local police and sent to the serious crime office.

“I am sending him to the provincial court today [Wednesday] for further legal action. It’s not just a case of violence, but a murder,” Vuthy said.

Khsach Kandal district deputy police chief Un Yong said the suspect and victim knew each other and went to drink traditional wine on Monday at the brick factory compound where they worked.

He said they became drunk and had an argument. The victim grabbed a bamboo stick, Yong said, and struck the suspect with it three times on the head.

The suspect then allegedly saw a fish spear nearby and used it to stab the victim at least four times resulting in his death.

Fled the scene

Yong said the victim fled the scene but no one knew where he had gone.

On Tuesday, one of his fellow workers discovered the victim’s body at a house some 100m from the factory. He immediately reported what he had found to local police.

“My police officials examined the corpse and saw four injuries from a spear attack to the left armpit,” Yong said, adding that police had investigated the case and arrested the suspect.

He said the argument was a result of jealousy.

The wife of the victim allegedly had a “good relationship” with the suspect, Yong said, which had angered the victim.