A local newspaper publisher has appealed directly to Prime Minister Hun Sen for help after provincial officials allegedly crashed into his car and threatened him in order to hide timber smuggling activities.

Chan Thy, the publisher of Nokor Meas newspaper, wrote two letters to the premier claiming two officials from the provincial department of the Ministry of National Assembly-Senate Relations and an accomplice from the military police conspired to crash their cars into his.

“They did not want us to go through because their cars, loaded with timber, were ahead,” he said.

Nokor Meas, based in Kampong Chhnang, publishes a print edition most weeks and also posts articles on Facebook.

A spokesman for the Ministry of National Assembly-Senate Relations said he was unaware of the claims but would investigate.

Preah Vihear provincial military police commander Kang Saokung denied the accusation, saying that the publisher had no proof.