Cambodia hunts down suspect who called for the overthrow of Prime Minister Hun Sen.

Cambodian police said they have identified and are searching for a suspect who called for the overthrow of Prime Minister Hun Sen's government.

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen. Photo: Khmer Times.

According to the Khmer Times, Cambodian police have identified and are searching for the man in the 4-minute video posted on Facebook and YouTube on July 15, which criticized and called for the overthrow of Prime Minister Hun Sen's government.

In a video on the YouTube account "Siem Reap Angkor," a man calling himself "VP9" accuses Hun Sen's government of "being behind land seizures from civilians, murdering high-ranking officials, and violating human rights." "VP9" calls on military units and government agencies to join a plan to overthrow Hun Sen.

Cambodian police spokesman Kirth Chantharith stated that the "VP9" declaration was a plot to incite people to riot and overthrow the legitimate government, and urged Cambodians to ignore such calls. Cambodian Ministry of Defense spokesman Chhum Sucheat also warned that the army and police would "crush" any coup attempts.

Cambodian police have not released official images of "VP9," also known as Vichea Som, due to concerns that he might flee abroad. The Facebook page of the Vichea Som account contains photos of a man in a military uniform similar to the one appearing in the aforementioned video. This Facebook account has posted numerous articles criticizing the Hun Sen government.

The individual "VP9" issued a call to overthrow the government on YouTube. (Screenshot)

In August 2015, Cambodian police arrested a young student for posting a call to overthrow the government on Facebook. He was sentenced to one and a half years in prison in March.

On July 10, Kem Ley, known for his criticism of Hun Sen, was assassinated in Phnom Penh. Cambodian investigators said Kem Ley may have been killed due to debt, but some believe the killing was politically motivated.

Cambodia has been moving tanks from a military base near the Preah Vihear temple on the border with Thailand onto the highway towards the capital Phnom Penh in recent days. Rumors suggest this troop movement is related to a coup attempt, but some observers believe it is a preparatory move by the government ahead of Kem Ley's funeral, scheduled for July 24th. The Cambodia Daily predicts thousands will flock to Phnom Penh to escort Kem Ley's remains back to his hometown in Takeo province.

Over the past few months, tensions between Hun Sen and his political rivals have escalated ahead of next year's local elections and the 2018 general election.

According to VNE