A security personnel, right, stands as judges with the U.N.-backed genocide tribunal look on in the background during Noun Chea's hearing Thursday, March 20, 2008, in Phnom Penh. Cambodia's genocide tribunal rejected an appeal Thursday by the former Khmer Rouge leader against his pre-trial detention on charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity.(AP Photo/Heng Sinith) 
Khmer Rouge survivor Chm Mey (L) arrives to attend a hearing for Nuon Chea, on the outskirts of Phnom Penh, March 20, 2008. Cambodia's "Killing Fields" tribunal turned down a request for bail on Thursday by Nuon Chea, Pol Pot's right-hand-man during the Khmer Rouge's four years in power in the 1970s.REUTERS/Chor Sokunthea (CAMBODIA)
Police and military personnel keep watch as people line up to attend a hearing for Nuon Chea, on the outskirts of Phnom Penh, March 20, 2008. Cambodia's "Killing Fields" tribunal turned down a request for bail on Thursday by Nuon Chea, Pol Pot's right-hand-man during the Khmer Rouge's four years in power in the 1970s.REUTERS/Chor Sokunthea (CAMBODIA) 
The most senior surviving leader of the Khmer Rouge, "Brother Number Two" Nuon Chea (R) is assisted by a policeman before Cambodia's genocide tribunal made its ruling on an appeal against his pre-trial detention, on the outskirts of Phnom Penh March 20, 2008. Cambodia's "Killing Fields" tribunal turned down a request for bail on Thursday by Nuon Chea, Pol Pot's right-hand-man during the Khmer Rouge's four years in power in the 1970s.REUTERS/Chor Sokunthea (CAMBODIA) 
Former Khmer Rouge leader Nuon Chea (2nd R) stands with assistance from two court officers as he appears for a verdict, at the Extraordinary Chambers in the Court of Cambodia (ECCC) in Phnom Penh on March 20. Nuon Chea will remain in jail pending trial for crimes allegedly committed during Cambodia's 1970s genocide, the country's Khmer Rouge tribunal ruled Thursday.(AFP/Pool/Sreng Meng Srun)
The most senior surviving leader of the Khmer Rouge, "Brother Number Two" Nuon Chea (C), is helped up by police officers at the Extraordinary Chambers in the Court of Cambodia (ECCC) before the court announced its decision on his bail in the outskirts of Phnom Penh March 20, 2008.REUTERS/Chor Sokunthea (CAMBODIA)By KER MUNTHIT
PHNOM PENH, Cambodia (AP) — Cambodia's genocide tribunal rejected an appeal Thursday by a former Khmer Rouge leader against his pre-trial detention on charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity.
The five-judge panel ruled that Nuon Chea, the Khmer Rouge's former ideologist, must remain in custody ahead of trials scheduled to begin later this year.
Nuon Chea faces charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity. He has been detained since Sept. 19 by Cambodia's U.N.-backed court. Nuon Chea is one of five former Khmer Rouge leaders detained for their involvement in the group's brutal 1975-79 rule.
The Khmer Rouge's radical policies caused the deaths of an estimated 1.7 million people from starvation, diseases, overwork and execution.
Nuon Chea, 81, has denied any guilt, saying he is not a "cruel" man.
In their detention order last year, the tribunal's investigating judges charged him with involvement in crimes including "murder, torture, imprisonment, persecution, extermination, deportation, forcible transfer, enslavement and other inhumane acts."
They said Nuon Chea faces life imprisonment if convicted and that the detention was necessary to prevent him from pressuring witnesses, destroying evidence and escaping.
Nuon Chea's own safety could also be at risk, if he were released, they said.
Nuon Chea has argued that the judges did not have sufficient grounds to detain him and called himself "a patriot and not a coward" trying to run away.
In December, the judges ruled against a similar appeal by Kaing Guek Eav, also known as Duch, who headed the Khmer Rouge's notorious S-21 prison and torture center.
The other three defendants are Ieng Sary, the former Khmer Rouge foreign minister, his wife Ieng Thirith, who was the minister for social affairs, and Khieu Samphan, the former Khmer Rouge head of state.
PHNOM PENH, Cambodia (AP) — Cambodia's genocide tribunal rejected an appeal Thursday by a former Khmer Rouge leader against his pre-trial detention on charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity.
The five-judge panel ruled that Nuon Chea, the Khmer Rouge's former ideologist, must remain in custody ahead of trials scheduled to begin later this year.
Nuon Chea faces charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity. He has been detained since Sept. 19 by Cambodia's U.N.-backed court. Nuon Chea is one of five former Khmer Rouge leaders detained for their involvement in the group's brutal 1975-79 rule.
The Khmer Rouge's radical policies caused the deaths of an estimated 1.7 million people from starvation, diseases, overwork and execution.
Nuon Chea, 81, has denied any guilt, saying he is not a "cruel" man.
In their detention order last year, the tribunal's investigating judges charged him with involvement in crimes including "murder, torture, imprisonment, persecution, extermination, deportation, forcible transfer, enslavement and other inhumane acts."
They said Nuon Chea faces life imprisonment if convicted and that the detention was necessary to prevent him from pressuring witnesses, destroying evidence and escaping.
Nuon Chea's own safety could also be at risk, if he were released, they said.
Nuon Chea has argued that the judges did not have sufficient grounds to detain him and called himself "a patriot and not a coward" trying to run away.
In December, the judges ruled against a similar appeal by Kaing Guek Eav, also known as Duch, who headed the Khmer Rouge's notorious S-21 prison and torture center.
The other three defendants are Ieng Sary, the former Khmer Rouge foreign minister, his wife Ieng Thirith, who was the minister for social affairs, and Khieu Samphan, the former Khmer Rouge head of state.
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