The long-awaited public trial of one of Pol Pot's henchmen is to get underway in Cambodia before a panel of judges including New Zealander Dame Silvia Cartwright today. (March 30, 2009) NZPA (New Zealand)
March 30, 2009
The long-awaited public trial of one of Pol Pot's henchmen is to get underway in Cambodia before a panel of judges including New Zealander Dame Silvia Cartwright today.
Sixty-six-year-old Kaing Guek Eav, better known as Duch, is accused of crimes against humanity. He ran Tuol Sleng, a torture centre and prison where 14,000 people suffered before being taken to a killing field and executed. New Zealander Kerry Hamill suffered that fate after he and crew mates were captured when their yacht strayed into Cambodian waters.
Dame Silvia and the other judges, Nil Nonn, Ya Sokhan, Jean-Marc Lavergne and Thou Mony, will hear evidence against Duch in a trial expected to take a minimum of three months. About 40 witnesses are expected to give evidence.
Duch, now a Christian, has previously recognised the crimes committed under his command but says he was a hostage to the regime.
The hearing is scheduled to start at 10am (1600 NZT). Following procedural steps the co-prosecutors will present opening statements followed by the defence's response.
Duch is the first of five senior Khmer Rouge leaders to be tried before a panel of two international and three Cambodian judges in the UN-backed Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia, commonly know as the Khmer Rouge Tribunal.
Under the Khmer Rouge regime, 1975-79, 1.7 million Cambodians died of stavation, overwork, disease or were executed.
Maggie Tait is travelling to Cambodia with the assistance of the Asia New Zealand Foundation.
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