Cambodia protests leave four wounded

PHNOM PENH, Cambodia – Riot police in Cambodia’s capital fired smoke bombs and water cannons at rock-throwing opposition supporters Sunday, as protesters kicked off a new wave of demonstrations against Prime Minister Hun Sen’s government with a vow to go on until the nation’s post-election deadlock is resolved.

At least one policeman and three protesters were injured in the violence in Phnom Penh. Most of the city was calm, however, with more than 20,000 people gathering peacefully at a downtown park to intensify their push for an independent investigation of results from the July election.

The opposition said the ballot was marred by irregularities that robbed it of winning a majority of seats in parliament.

Although the government allowed Sunday’s rally to go ahead, authorities had warned protesters to stay within Phnom Penh’s Freedom Park.

At one spot along a river in eastern Phnom Penh, however, security forces clashed with around 200 demonstrators.