Thousands attend funeral for slain critic of Cambodia leader

PHNOM PENH, Cambodia (AP) — Tens of thousands of Cambodians marched Sunday in the funeral procession for a leading government critic who was fatally shot in an attack that raised suspicion of a political conspiracy.

Several hundred police, including units in riot gear, were deployed along the route, particularly visible in front of Hun Sen's office, where anti-riot trucks and tear gas guns were on standby.

Hun Sen has promised a thorough investigation into the killing, which came at a time of political tension that began last year with legal and other pressures by the government on the Cambodia National Rescue Party.

Opposition leaders and Global Witness, a British activist group whose work was occasionally the subject of Kem Ley's radio commentaries, have suggested a political conspiracy behind the killing.