Tens of thousands of Cambodians gathered to mourn slain activist Kem Ley on Sunday. Ley, a prominent government critic popular with the public, was fatally shot two weeks ago outside a gas station in the capital Phnom Penh.

Kem Ley's murderer was caught red handed, but the circumstances surrounding the death have raised fears that the pro-democracy leader was the target of a government hit ordered by strongman Hun Sen. The farm worker and former soldier who shot Kem Ley said he moved to kill the activist over an outstanding $3,000 (2,733 euros) debt, but the man's wife has since said their family is far too poor to have given out such a loan.

Huge crowds have gathered to view his body over the past two weeks, which was placed in a transparent casket in a Buddhist temple in the capital ahead of Sunday's funeral procession, which made up the largest public gathering in the city in years.

Kem Ley had regularly criticized corruption in Hun Sen's government, citing the massive wealth the prime minister has amassed in his nearly twenty years in office. A former Khmer Rouge commander, Hun Sen has been accused of exploiting Cambodia's oil wealth and natural resources for his own benefit.

The premier has urged the public not to view the killing as a "political act," but the United Nations have already expressed their doubts about the official story behind Kem Ley's death. In a statement, the organization said the incident "exemplifies an alarming negative trend in Cambodia whereby political activists and human rights defenders are facing increasing restrictions."

The procession and motorcade carrying Kem Ley's casket will travel some 44 miles (70 kilometers) south from the capital to the activist's home village. Hundreds of riot police have been deployed along the route, with a concentration of force outside Hun Sen's office.

es/rc (AP, AFP)