Over 300 VN inmates held at Tuol Sleng prison, Duch tells court
Former genocide regime’s Tuol Sleng prison chief Kaing Guek Eav alias Duch told Cambodia’s war crimes court on 10 June that 345 Vietnamese inmates were sent to S-21 security center during Khmer Rouge regime. Amongst over 300 Vietnamese inmates, 35% was soldiers, 42% spies, and 23% civilians.
According to Duch, the Vietnamese nationals were all interrogated at S-21 by Mam Nai, Duch’s deputy chairman. Every interrogated person was smashed.
Duch talks little about Khmer Rouge-VN armed conflict
In a hearing held 9 June 2009, Duch asserted that he had little knowledge of Khmer Rouge-Vietnam armed conflict as in the era he was performing his tasks at S-21 torture center. it was seen as secrecy of the two communist parties and political state.
No political interference with K Rouge trial: Tribunal official
Khmer Rouge tribunal’s jourists expressed their position again that war crimes court was not involved in political interference, Khmer Rouge tribunal’ newly appointed spokesman Dim Sovannarom told Rasmei Kampuchea on 6 June.
The tribunal official made the announcement in response to a letter written by Khmer Rouge Brother Number 2 Nuon Chea’s international co-defence lawyer on 3 June 2009.
N Chea’s defence: Gov’t interfere KRT; Cam jourists dismiss charge
Michiel PESTMAN, international co-lawyer for Khmer Rouge Brother Number 2 Nuon Chea, raised numerous problems described irregularities. He voiced strong concern over justice within Khmer Rouge trial process.
In a press conference held 4 June, Michiel PESTMAN stated the national co-prosecutor and co-investigating judge were interfered by the government not to charge more suspects.
Reach Sambath, chief public affairs, Chea Leang, and You Bunleng dismissed the accusation, claiming they applied with the law.
Co-prosecutors await pre-trial chamber’s decision on further accusations
National and international co-prosecutors at the Khmer Rouge tribunal are awaiting for the pre-trial chamber’s decision on whether to allow more charges to be imposed on other persons, who were former Khmer Rouge leaders and those most responsible.
The pre-trial chamber has to make the decision as national co-prosecutor Cheang Leng and international co-prosecutor Robert Petit have disagreement over additional prosecutions of other Khmer Rouge suspects. Robert Petit wants to accuse more persons, while Cheang Leng makes rejection.