Cambodian Labor Leader Killed

A prominent Cambodian labor leader affiliated with the country's main opposition party was fatally shot Thursday on a street in Phnom Penh, in the latest in a series of suspected political killings.

Chea Vichea, president of the Cambodian Free Trade Union of Workers, was shot at least twice in the chest at close range while reading at a roadside newsstand, said the owner of the newsstand, Va Sothy.

"There were two assailants," Va Sothy said. "One was waiting on a motorcycle and the other walked toward him and shot him two or three times from about half a meter (two feet) away."

She said the gunman did not say anything to Chea Vichea, who was reading a newspaper, before shooting him.

Chea Vichea helped organize unions at garment factories and negotiate labor disputes. He was closely associated with the opposition Sam Rainsy Party and was frequently seen at the party's Phnom Penh headquarters.

The shooting is the latest in a series of suspected political killings. At least three members of the Sam Rainsy Party have been killed in recent weeks.

A deputy police chief in Phnom Penh, Heng Peo, confirmed the shooting and death, but was unable to provide details.