Cambodian trial hears from remorseful Duch

Kazakhstan News
http://www.kazakhstannews.net

Tuesday 23rd June, 2009

Cambodia's UN-backed war crimes trial has been told by former prison chief Duch that he prayed for forgiveness over his shocking past.

Kaing Guek Eav, who is better known as Duch, is on trial for overseeing the torture and killing of 15,000 people.

All of the dead had been committed to notorious Tuol Sleng prison, also known as S-21, which Duch controlled in the days of the communist leader, Pol Pot.

Duch began to sob uncontrollably, when confronted with photos of his alleged victims.

He said his prison-organised trip to Choeung Ek, the so-called killing field where prisoners were executed, had filled him with sorrow.

Duch said he held annual prayer meetings to ask forgiveness from his parents, teachers and victims of his crimes.

When his trial for war crimes and crimes against humanity began in March, Duch accepted responsibility for his role at Tuol Sleng.

He has nevertheless consistently rejected claims by prosecutors that he was involved in mass torture, maintaining he only ever tortured two people himself and never personally executed anyone.