Police suspect a capital commune chief may have gone on the run yesterday after he allegedly assaulted and hospitalised a teenage security guard.

Hor Hourt, chief of Prek Pra commune, failed to appear for police questioning over the incident and could not be located at his home or workplace yesterday, said Chbar Ampov district deputy police chief Moa Seurn. “I think he is making an escape now. So now we are preparing documents to send to the Phnom Penh Municipal Court for an arrest warrant,” Seurn said.

On Monday, Hourt allegedly slapped the victim, Meas Domdey, 19, across the ear, causing him to fall and hit his head on a rock structure near his security guard post. Domdey then began suffering seizures and had difficulty breathing.

Police were alerted to the incident yesterday after Domdey’s employer filed a complaint alleging aggravated violence.

Seurn said the incident began when another security guard, Domdey’s friend and colleague, asked Hourt to move his parked vehicle. Hourt appeared angry but moved his car. He then approached the guard, who sank to his knees before the commune chief.

Domdey was riding past on a motorbike, and had stopped to enquire about his friend when Hourt allegedly hit Domdey.

Dr Ang Eng Sopheap, deputy chief at the Khmer-Soviet Friendship Hospital’s traumatology and neurosurgery unit, said Domdey suffered pain on his right side but was in stable condition after being given a brain scan and medication to prevent the seizures.