Oct 7, 2009
(Post by CAAI News Media)
PHNOM PENH - CAMBODIAN'S UN-backed Khmer Rouge war crimes court has summoned six top government and legislative officials as witnesses against leaders of the late 1970s regime, said documents released on Wednesday.
In a move opposed by the Cambodian government, letters signed by the French investigating judge called on the officials to testify in the second case against former Khmer Rouge leaders for war crimes and crimes against humanity.
Current senate president Chea Sim, national assembly president Heng Samrin, foreign minister Hor Namhong, finance minister Keat Chhon and senators Sim Ka and Ouk Bunchhoeun were each 'asked for a hearing as a witness,' said the letters.
They will have to give testimony to an investigating judge of the tribunal, which was created in 2006 to try leading members of the regime. 'Except for individuals who volunteer to go, the government's position is no to this even if they are called as witnesses,' government spokesman Khieu Kanharith told AFP on Wednesday.
He said that foreign officials involved in the tribunal 'can pack their clothes and return home' if they are not satisfied.
Critics of Cambodia's administration have previously alleged that it has interfered in the tribunal to protect former regime members now in government. The court's second case is expected to try detained former Khmer Rouge ideologue Nuon Chea, head of state Khieu Samphan, foreign minister Ieng Sary and his wife, minister of social affairs Ieng Thirith. -- AFP
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