A farmer was arrested and sent to a provincial court in Svay Rieng on Sunday for allegedly drunkenly slashing his wife and two police officers with a large blade, police said yesterday.

Major Duong Sokleng, a penal police officer with the Svay Rieng provincial police, said that Keu Sarun, 46, has been accused of attempted murder, which carries a prison term of up to 15 years if he is found guilty.

The suspect was arrested in Ta Reak village in Svay Chrum district at about 9:30 in the morning.

“He was a drunkard. He always beat his wife when he was drunk,” Sokleng said. “He cut his wife several times on the neck, shoulder and head, and seriously wounded her.”

Sokleng added that when police intervened, Sarun turned the knife toward them.

“He also cut two police officers and seriously wounded them,” he said. “One police officer was cut on his neck, and another was cut on the head.”

Sokleng identified the victims as Mann Samouen, 46, the suspect’s wife, and two Chhoeuteal commune police officers: chief Im Nhean, 51, and officer Nouv Phalla, 25.

All have been sent to a local hospital for treatment.

Neither Sarun nor Svay Rieng Provincial Court prosecutor Hoeng Bunchea could be reached for comment.