Journalists around the world expressed “outrage” yesterday at the murder of Cambodian reporter Traing Try.

The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) and local affiliate the Cambodian Association for the Protection of Journalists said that the 49-year-old was shot dead on Sunday while on his way to investigate reports of illegal logging.

Two police officers and one soldier have already been arrested and confessed to being involved in the killing, said IFJ, which urged the Cambodian government to “put all efforts to securing justice for the killed journalist and his family.”

The union federation said Mr Try and seven other journalists were on their way to investigate reports of illegal logging in the Snoul district of Kratie province.

They came across several ox carts loaded with timber and led by an alleged timber trader — reportedly a police officer named Heing.

A confrontation with the trader started after the journalists’ car got stuck in the mud. While the other reporters fled the scene, Mr Heing allegedly shot Mr Try in the head.

Provincial prosecutor Ty Sovinthal said: “We suspect that this murder was planned a few days ago as (Mr Try) tipped off the district prosecutor to confiscate timber (from the loggers).”

IFJ pointed to a “worrying trend” in violence against journalists covering environmental stories in Cambodia.

In January, Suon Chan was killed by a mob following a report on illegal fishing in Kampong Chang province.

And in 2012 a journalist and environmental activist were killed after reports on illegal logging in Ratanakiri province.