A Cambodian military officer has allegedly committed suicide after shooting dead his 16-year-old farmer wife with an AK-47 rifle.
The 32-year-old soldier, Vong Tol, allegedly committed the act after he refused his wife’s request for a divorce, local media reported on Tuesday.
“Second Lt. Vong Tol, 32, shot his wife, Uy Sokhom, in the chest in their home in the northern province of Preah Vihear on Sunday before shooting himself in the head.
“He was angry with the wife for wanting to divorce him,’’ a district penal police officer, Chuon Narong, told the Times.
Investigation reveal that neighbours had heard the couple arguing earlier on Sunday.
“The neighbours did not intervene because they regularly heard the pair fighting.
“The couple was married for about a year and did not have children,’’ Mr Narong added.
The minimum legal age of marriage in Cambodia is 18 years. However, children who are not less than 16 can be joined in matrimony with the permission of a parent or guardian.
(dpa/NAN)
