Cambodian Criminal Police, in cooperation with Svay Rieng provincial police, announced today the arrest of six individuals. These arrests complete the apprehension of all seven individuals involved in a shooting escape outside the provincial court that morning.

Four suspects after their arrest on 18/11. Photo: Khmer Times

The recently arrested group includes five inmates and a female accomplice. The seventh person, also an inmate and described as the group's "leader", was caught earlier when his vehicle crashed into a field.

Security camera footage shows the female accomplice waiting inside the court premises around 8:50 am, just minutes before a vehicle carrying six inmates entered the gate. These individuals had been arrested and charged with drug trafficking and illegal possession of firearms.

As the vehicle stopped and security personnel began escorting the six inmates, the woman quickly approached one of them and handed over a gun. Two police officers, armed with batons, noticed her unusual action but could not intervene in time.

Inmates receive a gun from an accomplice, threaten police, and escape from a Cambodian court on 18/11. Video: Khmer Times

Armed with the gun, an inmate immediately aimed it at the security officers and fired at least two shots as a threat. Hearing the gunfire, four unarmed police officers fled, some stumbling and crawling behind a car for cover. No one was injured in the incident.

Local police returned fire and attempted to stop the fleeing inmates, but they managed to get into two waiting cars and escape.

Pham Giang (According to Khmer Times)