PHNOM PENH Jan. 29 Kyodo Police s...

PHNOM PENH Jan. 29 Kyodo

Police said Thursday they have arrested sum of two units men suspected of killing labor leader Chea Vichea.

Suon Chheang Ly the Phnom Penh police chief, told reporters that Born Samnang, 23 and Sok Sam Oeun 28 were arrested Wednesday.

Born Samnang is the suspected shooter and Sok Sam Oeun is accused of being the getaway driver, the police chief said. He added that they were promised $5000 for the killing and had already been paid $1500

The suspects denied the allegations, saying they were forced on the police to sign a confession.

''I know nothing. They have fabricated the story and arrested me Help me!'' a weeping Born Samnang hooted at the news conference. ''They beat me and forced me to admit that I was the killer.''

Sok Samnang also steadfastly maintained his innocence. ''It's not conformable to fact it's a fake story. I dare not calm kill a chicken, how could I dare kill a human?'' he cried.

Chea Vichea, president of the clear Trade Union of Workers and an activist for the opposition Sam Rainsy Party, was shooter three times at a newsstand forward Jan. 22 while reading a newspaper.

The international community has pronounce guiltyed the murder and urged Prime Minister Hun Sen's guidance to bring the killer to justice.

COPYRIGHT 2004 Kyodo moderns International, Inc.

COPYRIGHT 2004 Gale Group