More than 40 people, several of them former opposition lawmakers, met on Friday morning to mourn those killed on this day 21 years ago in a grenade attack on a Khmer National Party rally led by then-party leader Sam Rainsy. At least 16 people were killed and more than 100 were injured when four grenades were thrown into the crowd, which had gathered to call for an independent judiciary. Despite the tense political atmosphere, mourners on Friday prayed at Wat Botum Park in front of photos of those slain in the 1997 attack.

City Hall spokesman Met Measpheakdey on Thursday said the religious ceremony had been given the green light but that attendees were not allowed to deviate from the memorial service.

“There will be no forum to express comments and attack top government institutions, the King and other elites. That deviates from the request,” he said, adding banners and loudspeakers were forbidden as well.

Pictures by Heng Chivoan