seattletimes.nwsource.com
Saturday, February 9, 2008
Phnom Penh, Cambodia
Khmer Rouge victim confronts defendant
A Cambodian genocide victim confronted a former Khmer Rouge leader in a courtroom Friday, demanding to know who was responsible for the "hellish regime" that killed 1.7 million people, including her parents.
Tribunal officials called it a historic moment when Theary Seng took the stand on the second day of a hearing of former leader Nuon Chea's appeal for release from pretrial detention at Cambodia's U.N.-backed genocide tribunal.
"It's the first time a victim is able to stand up and confront a defendant. It's extremely symbolic," said Peter Foster, a tribunal spokesman. Nuon Chea, who was the main ideologist for the now-defunct communist group, has been held since Sept. 19 on charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity for his involvement in the Khmer Rouge's ruthless 1975-79 rule. He is one of five former Khmer Rouge leaders detained by the tribunal, expected to hold the first trials later this year.
Saturday, February 9, 2008
Phnom Penh, Cambodia
Khmer Rouge victim confronts defendant
A Cambodian genocide victim confronted a former Khmer Rouge leader in a courtroom Friday, demanding to know who was responsible for the "hellish regime" that killed 1.7 million people, including her parents.
Tribunal officials called it a historic moment when Theary Seng took the stand on the second day of a hearing of former leader Nuon Chea's appeal for release from pretrial detention at Cambodia's U.N.-backed genocide tribunal.
"It's the first time a victim is able to stand up and confront a defendant. It's extremely symbolic," said Peter Foster, a tribunal spokesman. Nuon Chea, who was the main ideologist for the now-defunct communist group, has been held since Sept. 19 on charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity for his involvement in the Khmer Rouge's ruthless 1975-79 rule. He is one of five former Khmer Rouge leaders detained by the tribunal, expected to hold the first trials later this year.
No comments:
Post a Comment