cbc.ca
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
The Associated Press
A court in Phnom Penh heard arguments on Wednesday to release a man who has already confessed and apologized for atrocities at a notorious torture facility during the Khmer Rouge's rule in Cambodia in the 1970s.
The UN-assisted tribunal heard arguments that Kaing Guek Eav — commonly known as Duch — be released from the jail where he is being held. Four other people are also being held there.
Duch's lawyer, Francois Roux, suggested that her client should be sent to a safe house and argued that his rights have been violated by his 10-year detention without trial. Cambodian law prohibits "provisional detention" longer than three years, he said.
Co-prosecutor Chea Leang contested the request saying releasing him would affect the victims' families.
"It would make them angry and take revenge on him," she said.
Procedural questions occupied much of Wednesday's session — after the previous day's dramatic developments.
On Tuesday, Duch spoke of "regretfulness and heartfelt sorrow for all crimes" and said he was taking responsibility for the crimes committed at the prison.
"I recognize that I am responsible for the crimes committed," Duch testified, reading from a prepared statement.
Duch is the first of five officials from Pol Pot's hardcore communist regime that from 1975 to 1979 turned Cambodia into a vast labour camp and killing field that left an estimated 1.7 million people dead.
If found guilty, he could face a maximum sentence of life in prison. There is no death penalty in Cambodia.
The trial, which is due to end in July, will resume Monday.
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
The Associated Press
A court in Phnom Penh heard arguments on Wednesday to release a man who has already confessed and apologized for atrocities at a notorious torture facility during the Khmer Rouge's rule in Cambodia in the 1970s.
The UN-assisted tribunal heard arguments that Kaing Guek Eav — commonly known as Duch — be released from the jail where he is being held. Four other people are also being held there.
Duch's lawyer, Francois Roux, suggested that her client should be sent to a safe house and argued that his rights have been violated by his 10-year detention without trial. Cambodian law prohibits "provisional detention" longer than three years, he said.
Co-prosecutor Chea Leang contested the request saying releasing him would affect the victims' families.
"It would make them angry and take revenge on him," she said.
Procedural questions occupied much of Wednesday's session — after the previous day's dramatic developments.
On Tuesday, Duch spoke of "regretfulness and heartfelt sorrow for all crimes" and said he was taking responsibility for the crimes committed at the prison.
"I recognize that I am responsible for the crimes committed," Duch testified, reading from a prepared statement.
Duch is the first of five officials from Pol Pot's hardcore communist regime that from 1975 to 1979 turned Cambodia into a vast labour camp and killing field that left an estimated 1.7 million people dead.
If found guilty, he could face a maximum sentence of life in prison. There is no death penalty in Cambodia.
The trial, which is due to end in July, will resume Monday.
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