Prey Veng provincial Military Police on Tuesday said it is on the lookout for a Peamro district resident suspected of stabbing his 23-year-old nephew multiple times and attacking him with an axe. The victim is in a critical condition in a Phnom Penh hospital.

The incident took place on Monday in Neak Leung commune’s Prek Tasar village, said the provincial Military Police’s justice department chief, Phat Sochot.

He identified the suspect as Meas Savan, 30, who is also known as Sok, and is the uncle of victim Run Chetra. Chetra lives in Neak Leung commune’s Neak Leung village.

Sochout said the victim’s family had informed police of an altercation between the two during a party in 2015. The suspect had attempted to stab Chetra but he was able to escape unharmed.

Savan behaved normally afterwards, so Chetra and his family did not take the matter further.

On Monday, while Chetra was at a rice-milling machine, Savan allegedly attacked him from behind with an axe and stabbed him multiple times.

“While the victim was looking at his rice-milling equipment, the suspect parked his motorbike next to the victim.”

The victim asked him “what are you doing here?” and the suspect then threw an axe at the victim’s back, injuring him.

The victim was able to escape about three to four metres away before collapsing onto a rice hill.

“The suspect then hacked the victim three or four times more. The victim escaped onto a nearby road and asked for help,” Sochout said.

He said Savan ran away after villagers sought help, while the victim was sent to a Phnom Penh hospital by ambulance. “We don’t know if he will live,” Sochout said.

Prey Veng Military Police commander Chhuon Kimsan told The Post on Tuesday that he had not received any details about this case.

A preliminary report from police at the crime scene said the suspect was identified and attempts are being made to locate and bring him to justice.

“The police are working on the case. I don’t have details yet. Police at the crime scene said they were able to identify the suspect, but he is in hiding and we are on the lookout for him,” he said.