Vietnam has requested Cambodia to investigate the death of a Vietnamese citizen outside a casino in Cambodian land in late August.

The attack occurs on a sidewalk in Bavet City, Svay Rieng, Cambodia on August 26, 2022. Photo: Khmer Times

The victim, who is a chef called Duong, 34, was beaten to death by a mob on August 26 in front of Casino 67 in Bavet, Svay Rieng which borders Vietnam.

The investigation is underway and the Embassy of Vietnam in Phnom Penh is working with local authorities to support the repatriation of the body, Deputy Spokesman Doan Khac Viet said at a press conference on September 8.

According to witnesses, Duong was suddenly attacked by a group of 4-5 individuals who followed him from a pawnshop to the casino. The man died on the pavement while the murderers immediately fled after the assault.

Recently, there have been numerous complaints of workers being forcibly held in gambling hotspots like Sihanoukville and Bavet in Cambodia. According to reports, these individuals work in appalling conditions for criminal groups.

In a related move, Vietnam’s police rescued 600 Vietnamese citizens who were cheated to work in Cambodia with high salaries. But exact figures of the people in human trafficking rings remain unknown. Extensive investigations are on the way.

The Cambodian Ministry of Interior is undertaking a massive campaign against crime while also conducting checks on all foreign nationals residing throughout the nation to combat human trafficking.

The National Committee for Counter Trafficking (NCCT) of Cambodia has recently issued an action plan to intensify the fight against sexual exploitation, labor trafficking, and all other forms of human trafficking. It also established a steering committee to oversee operations to prosecute offenders and rescue victims.

Vietnam and Cambodia share a border of nearly 1,300km. Cambodia is home to dozens of casinos that attract a large number of Vietnamese people who seek high-paid jobs.