Environmental activist twins Chum Hout and Chum Hour, who had fled to Thailand and sought refugee status in the wake of Kem Ley’s murder, returned to Cambodia yesterday morning.

Ley was gunned down in central Phnom Penh on July 10, four days before they left the country citing fears for their safety.

The pair had been in discussions with the analyst on a number of environmental issues.

They returned yesterday in spite of the advice of their US lawyer Paul Lelli, who said on Thursday that he was not confident of their safety “because of the recent events and their involvement”.

However, speaking by phone shortly after crossing the border at Poipet yesterday, Hout said he was still concerned but felt the government would protect them “as we have done our work for everyone, not for any political party”.