Cambodia Extradites Suspected Assassin of Opposition Politician to Thailand

PHNOM PENH — Cambodia has extradited Ekkalak Pheanoi, a man accused of assassinating former opposition politician Lim Kimya in Bangkok. Lim, a former lawmaker for the dissolved Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP), was shot dead by a motorcyclist on Tuesday as he arrived in the Thai capital with his French wife.

Cambodian authorities arrested the suspect, who is believed to be a former Thai marine, on Wednesday. Thailand requested his return, and Cambodian police handed him over on Saturday morning.

The killing has sparked allegations from Cambodian opposition figures, who accuse ex-leader Hun Sen of ordering the attack, though the government has denied these claims. France condemned the assassination, as Lim also held French citizenship.

In recent years, many Cambodian opposition activists have fled to Thailand to escape political repression, with some facing arrest and deportation back to Cambodia.