Suon Chan, a 44-year-old reporter for the Meakea Kampuchea newspaper in Cambodia, was beaten to death on Feb. 8, following a series of articles he had written exposing illegal fishing.

Cholkiri district police chief Morm Thon said that three suspects had been identified in connection with the murder but that they are still on the run.

He denied that the murder was linked to recent articles by the reporter that led to a police raid on illegal fishing. However, the Phnom Penh Post reported that Suon Chan was killed after being confronted by a group of 10 fishermen as he was leaving his home in Peam Chhkork commune.