Police have identified and are seeking to take legal action against a Facebook user suspected of doctoring a photo of Prime Minister Hun Sen’s wife, Bun Rany, Ministry of Interior spokesman Khieu Sopheak said yesterday.

According to Sopheak, the Interior Ministry had contacted the US Federal Bureau of Investigation and was working with Interpol since the user, "Haknuman Leung" – whose profile picture is a photo of opposition leader Sam Rainsy – lives overseas.

Sopheak declined to offer further details about the suspect, saying that it may compromise the investigation.

The photo in question depicted Hun Sen and Rany standing with their grandchildren while on holiday in Sihanoukville. In the doctored version – posted by Leung and later reposted by the premier – Rany is shown standing with her legs apart, a stance considered offensive in Cambodian culture.

“What! The first lady of Cambodian poses this way! It’s a bad model for Khmer women!” read a caption above the image.

Lim Sokha Reaksmey, director of the Interpol department at the Interior Ministry, declined to confirm whether international Interpol police were working on the case, but said the suspect held dual nationality, “and could be someone who is actively involved with” the CNRP.

Last week the CNRP called on its members to “uphold morality and refrain from cursing, [and] using inappropriate pictures . . . for the sake of national reconciliation and unity”.

Opposition spokesman Yim Sovann said yesterday he had no idea whether the suspect was linked to the party, but said the CNRP “does not instruct any member to do this since it does no good to the country”.