Former Khmer Rouge leader prepares for hearing

ABC, Radio Australia

06/02/2008

Former Khmer Rouge leader Nuon Chea's first public hearing before Cambodia's genocide tribunal will now be held on Thursday, when he is expected to appeal against his detention.

The hearing had been set for Monday, but was postponed because of a row over Nuon Chea's legal team.

But the dispute was resolved once Cambodia's Bar Association finally admitted Dutch attorney, Victor Koppe, allowing him to join Nuon Chea's legal team.

The Bar had initially refused to admit Mr Koppe, saying he had signed certain legal documents incorrectly.

Nuon Chea was the closest deputy to the Khmer Rouge leader Pol Pot.

He is the alleged architect of the regime's execution policies during its 1975 to 1979 rule, and is charged with war crimes and crimes against humanity.

His expected appeal will be only the second public hearing since the tribunal was convened 18 months ago.