Military and district police are conducting a joint investigation into the case of a man who was doused in petrol and set on fire yesterday while taking a nap under a mango tree on the grounds of Tonle Bassac commune’s Buddhist Institute, police said.

Han Kimheng, an assistant military police commander in Chamkarmon district, said the victim, Im Vuthy, 41, was assistant editor-in-chief of the newspaper Reaksmey Borei, as well as a part-time tuk-tuk driver.

“The witness said the criminal fled away after splashing the petroleum over the victim and burning him,” Han Kimheng said.

Police believe it was the result of a love triangle between the victim, 30-year-old vendor Seng Vanny and her estranged husband, Om Piseth, 43, from whom she had been separated for months.

According to police, Seng Vanny’s husband had threatened her in the past.

Chamkarmon district police chief Ouch Sokhon said that the victim was receiving treatment for serious injuries at Calmette hospital, and that police are still investigating.

To contact the reporter on this story: Khoun Leakhana at [email protected]