Wife held over hubby’s death

A woman who stabbed her husband to death in Prey Veng province’s Preah Sdech district has been placed in pre-trial detention by the provincial court.

Provincial serious crimes bureau chief Ouk Phat said the woman, Sorm Simat, was charged with aggravated violence under Article 224 of the Criminal Code.

She faces up to 15 years in prison if found guilty.

The incident took place in Senareach Udom commune’s Kdarpok village. Citing witnesses, commune police chief Ouk Oun said Simat and her 47-year-old husband Bun Ly are alcoholics.

The couple had a heated argument while drinking around noon on Monday.

During questioning, Simat told police that when her husband beat her, she grabbed a sharp tool and stabbed him in the throat.

Oun said police arrived at the scene to examine the body after receiving a report from the couple’s neighbours.

Am Sam Ath, deputy director of monitoring at rights group Licadho, said in a recent interview that alcohol and drug addiction were the main causes of domestic violence.

“Cambodians traditionally consider domestic violence a family affair and do not help each other, which is also a problem,” Ath added. — The Phnom Penh Post/ANN