Ex-Khmer Rouge Appeals for Bail

ANCHOR:

The U.N.-backed "Killing Fields" court is to hear another bail appeal by another senior Khmer Rouge leader. Here's more from Cambodia on this story.

STORY:

Ieng Thirith was the former Khmer Rouge minister of social affairs. She was arrested in November 2007 with her husband, Ieng Sary, who served as foreign minister for the regime.

The tribunal hopes to put the five regime leaders on trial for various charges including crimes against humanity. Ieng Thirith is the fourth member of Pol Pot's inner circle to stand trial. The couple surrendered to the government in 1995 ending the power of the Khmer Rouge as a fighting force. Pol Pot, or Brother No.1, and other senior members remained in the jungle at the time.

Survivors of the genocide hope Thirith won't be granted bail. [Un Dara, Genocide Survivor]:"If the court lets her out of jail, I'm afraid she would be killed by the victims families and then we would lose evidence for the tribunal.

So it is better to let her stay in court and wait for the trial. For me, as withother people, we want the trial to take place soon so that the other leaders will not commit such killings in the future."

Many Cambodians have been waiting for years and are glad that their wait is almost over. [Kong Rum, Farmer]:

"Yes, I want the court to punish her because there are millions of people who were killed. I would forgive her if it were just one person."After nearly a decade of delays and drawn-out talks with the United Nations, the court proceedings kicked off in earnest last year.