Justice demanded for slain Cambodian journalist

PHNOM PENH, Cambodia – Press freedom groups are calling for justice for a Cambodian reporter whose slain body was found in the trunk of his car.

Reporters Without Borders said Thursday that police must probe whether Vorakchun Khmer Daily reporter Hang Serei Oudom was killed in connection with stories he was said to have written exposing illegal logging.

The reporter's body was found in his car Tuesday in the remote northeastern province of Ratanakiri. Police believe he was killed by blows to the head with an ax.

Illegal logging is rampant in Cambodia and believed to be supported by tycoons with good political connections.

The Committee to Protect Journalists called on Prime Minister Hun Sen to make a stronger commitment to protecting journalists.