Kuala Lumpur - A group of some 20 men attacked and killed a man whom they accused of voyeurism in a village in the northern state of Perlis, a news report said Monday.

Hatib Leman, 35, died hours after being rushed to a hospital after the group of men attacked him and his wife on Saturday, the New Straits Times daily said.

The men had confronted Leman, a labourer, and accused him of being a "peeping Tom." A fight ensued, resulting in the attack, the report said.

"I pleaded with the men to stop hitting my husband. I told them to discuss the matter with the police first," said the victim's wife, 34-year old Fazilah Muhammad.

"But they were angry and started to kick and push me. They were kicking and beating him up," she was quoted as saying.

Police have detained six villagers, between the ages of 30 and 40, and are investigating the involvement of several others, the report said. (dpa)