Phnom Penh Municipal Court on Tuesday issued murder charges to two men accused of aiding in the brazen daylight killing of a military police official Sunday.
Hor Sokheng, 27, and Lay Pisith, 30, were allegedly part of a hit squad that ambushed Lt. Col. Reth Nika, a deputy military police chief, on a crowded Phnom Penh street Sunday evening. One of the assailants was killed and two remain at large, officials said.
The two in custody face up to life in prison for their role in the killing, which police say was likely the result of a personal grudge.
Human rights officials say the open nature of the attack indicated the attackers had connections to high-ranking government leaders.