The suspects arrested on December 29, 2024, were all Vietnamese nationals aged 17 to 35, including 10 men and two women. - Photo: General Commissariat of National Police
PHNOM PENH: A case involving the mistaken shooting of a civilian car, which drew criticism of Prey Veng provincial authorities, has been resolved following the arrest of 12 Vietnamese nationals linked to a kidnapping in Bavet town.
“The Criminal Police Department successfully cracked down on a kidnapping case involving a Chinese national in Bavet town,” the Criminal Police Department of the General Commissariat of National Police announced on Sunday (Dec 29).
According to the department, a complaint was received on December 27 concerning the illegal detention of a 25-year-old Chinese national, Chen Yitong.
The victim was abducted in Svay Rieng province’s Bavet town by individuals driving a white Starex van without licence plates.
On December 29, at around noon, police located the victim locked in a rented house in Bavet commune’s Tapov village.
A total of 12 suspects, aged 17 to 35, were arrested. Among them were 10 men and 2 women, all identified as Vietnamese nationals.
Regarding the mistaken shooting, Prey Veng provincial authorities admitted their error and took full responsibility for firing on a civilian car during the pursuit of the suspects on December 27.
The incident occurred at An Deuk on National Road 1 in Prasat Commune of Prey Veng’s Kampong Trabek district, injuring the civilian driver and passengers.
The Criminal Police Department is covering all medical expenses and compensation for the victims.
On December 28, the Prey Veng Provincial Police explained that the van had been flagged by intelligence agencies as involved in the transport of a kidnapping victim.
During the pursuit, the civilian driver, who was transporting a child with a broken arm to Phnom Penh for treatment, panicked and collided with the police vehicle, adding to the confusion.
The Prey Veng Provincial Police have since prepared a case file to assist the victims in claiming compensation through legal channels. - The Phnom Penh Post/ANN
