The Extraodinary Chambers in the Court of Cambodia (ECCC) in Phnom Penh. Amnesty International has welcomed the opening of Cambodia's first genocide trial, but said the court must increase its caseload and address allegations of corruption.(AFP/ECCC/File)PHNOM PENH (AFP) – Amnesty International on Saturday welcomed the opening of Cambodia's first genocide trial, but said the court must increase its caseload and address allegations of corruption.
Amnesty said the court should "urgently expand its prosecution strategy" following the start of the long-awaited trial of Khmer Rouge prison chief Kaing Guek Eav, better known by the alias Duch.
His trial began last month. One of five former Khmer Rouge leaders scheduled to be tried by the court, Duch is due to finally take the stand on Monday.
"Many more need to face the court to really deliver justice to the millions of victims of these horrific crimes," said researcher Brittis Edman, adding that many suspects were now elderly and could die before facing justice.
The Cambodian government has been accused of trying to scupper further trials amid fears that it could target former Khmer Rouge members currently in top posts in Prime Minister Hun Sen's administration.
The Cambodian side of the international court has also been hit by claims of political interference and a scandal in which local staff were allegedly forced to pay kickbacks for their jobs.
The London-based group said the claims must be quickly addressed.
"Any corruption allegations must be investigated promptly and thoroughly," Edman said.
Up to two million people died of starvation and overwork, or were executed, as the 1975-1979 regime emptied Cambodia's cities in its drive to create a communist utopia.
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