Hang Serei Odom

Virakchun Khmer Daily

September 11, 2012, in Ratanakiri province, Cambodia

The wounded body of Hang Serei Odom, a reporter for the Khmer-language Virakchun Khmer Daily, was found in the trunk of his car at a cashew plantation in the O'Chum district of northeastern Ratanakiri province, according to news reports. The journalist's wife had reported him missing two days earlier after he failed to return from an appointment, news reports said.

The Cambodia Daily quoted local police chief Song Bunthanorm as saying that Hang Serei Odom had been hit in the front and back of the head with an ax. The official said at least two people were involved in the murder. No suspects were immediately identified.

Hang Serei Odom reported frequently on illegal logging activities in Ratanakiri province, according to news reports citing the editor of Virakchun Khmer Daily. In a September 6 report, the journalist had alleged that a provincial military police officer was involved in the illicit timber trade and had used military vehicles to smuggle illegally cut logs, according to news reports.

Despite an official ban on timber exports, illegal logging activities are rife in Cambodia, and news coverage of the trade has proven to be extremely dangerous for journalists.

Medium: Print

Job: Print Reporter

Beats Covered: Business, Corruption, Crime, Politics

Gender: Male

Local or Foreign: Local

Freelance: No

Type of Death: Murder

Suspected Source of Fire: Criminal Group, Military Officials

Impunity: Yes

Taken Captive: Yes

Tortured: No

Threatened: No

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