AP
2008-10-23
PHNOM PENH, Cambodia (AP) - Cambodia's U.N.-assisted genocide tribunal has granted its five Khmer Rouge defendants the previously denied right to communicate among themselves in detention.
Court officials said Thursday that the judges lifted the segregation order last month after appeals from the defendants' lawyers, who argued that the measure violated human rights and dignity.
When the suspects were originally detained, the investigating judges imposed restrictions on direct contact between them to prevent collusion and protect the integrity of investigations.
The tribunal is seeking accountability for atrocities committed when the Khmer Rouge held power in 1975-79.
The ultra-communist group's policies are generally blamed for the deaths of about 1.7 million people from starvation, disease, overwork and execution.
The court had rejected appeals from the five that they be released from detention ahead of their trials, which are expected to begin early next year. All of the defendants are aging and in ill health.
After long delays, formal indictments against them were issued earlier this year.
The expected September start of the first trial, of Khmer Rouge prison chief Kaing Guek Eav, was delayed after prosecutors appealed to add criminal conspiracy to the charges the defendants face. They had already been charged with war crimes and crimes against humanity.
Son Arun, a lawyer for Nuon Chea, the former Khmer Rouge ideologist, said his client had a cordial chat Wednesday with Khieu Samphan and Kaing Guek Eav, also known as Duch. Khieu Samphan is the group's former head of state.
«They asked about each other's well being and were pleased that they can now speak to each other,» Son Arun said.
2008-10-23
PHNOM PENH, Cambodia (AP) - Cambodia's U.N.-assisted genocide tribunal has granted its five Khmer Rouge defendants the previously denied right to communicate among themselves in detention.
Court officials said Thursday that the judges lifted the segregation order last month after appeals from the defendants' lawyers, who argued that the measure violated human rights and dignity.
When the suspects were originally detained, the investigating judges imposed restrictions on direct contact between them to prevent collusion and protect the integrity of investigations.
The tribunal is seeking accountability for atrocities committed when the Khmer Rouge held power in 1975-79.
The ultra-communist group's policies are generally blamed for the deaths of about 1.7 million people from starvation, disease, overwork and execution.
The court had rejected appeals from the five that they be released from detention ahead of their trials, which are expected to begin early next year. All of the defendants are aging and in ill health.
After long delays, formal indictments against them were issued earlier this year.
The expected September start of the first trial, of Khmer Rouge prison chief Kaing Guek Eav, was delayed after prosecutors appealed to add criminal conspiracy to the charges the defendants face. They had already been charged with war crimes and crimes against humanity.
Son Arun, a lawyer for Nuon Chea, the former Khmer Rouge ideologist, said his client had a cordial chat Wednesday with Khieu Samphan and Kaing Guek Eav, also known as Duch. Khieu Samphan is the group's former head of state.
«They asked about each other's well being and were pleased that they can now speak to each other,» Son Arun said.
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