The Associated Press
PHNOM PENH, Cambodia: A lawyer picked to represent the highest-ranking Khmer Rouge leader detained at a U.N.-backed genocide tribunal acknowledged Friday he faced a "heavy burden" in defending his client against charges of crimes against humanity and war crimes.
Son Arun, a private attorney, said he met with Nuon Chea for the first time Thursday.
"There are many things for me to do, many documents for me to research. This is a heavy burden, but I am happy to take up the job," Son Arun said.
Nuon Chea can also choose a foreign lawyer — an arrangement offered by the U.N.-backed Cambodian genocide tribunal, it said in a statement Friday.
The 82-year-old former Khmer Rouge ideologist is being detained on charges of crimes against humanity and war crimes in connection with the atrocities that caused the death of some 1.7 million people during the Khmer Rouge's 1975-79 rule.
Nuon Chea was arrested at his home in Pailin in northwestern Cambodia and flown to the capital, Phnom Penh, Wednesday.
The tribunal statement said Nuon Chea has claimed he does not have money to pay for his legal fees. If it is determined he cannot afford the legal fees, the tribunal will pick up the costs, the statement said.
Son Arun is a member of the Cambodian Bar Association and has worked in private practice for over 11 years. He has represented defendants charged with serious crimes, including terrorism, the statement said without elaborating.
Son Arun said he was surprised to learn on Wednesday that Nuon Chea wanted him as his lawyer.
Nuon Chea is the second, and highest-ranking, Khmer Rouge leader held to appear before the panel.
Kaing Guek Eav, also known as Duch, who headed the former Khmer Rouge S-21 torture center, was charged on July 31 with crimes against humanity. Prosecutors have recommended three other suspects for trial, but have not named them publicly.
The tribunal is investigating abuses committed when the communist Khmer Rouge held power in 1975-79. The Khmer Rouge's radical policies have been blamed for the deaths of 1.7 million of their countrymen from starvation, ill health, overwork and execution.
Duch has also implicated Nuon Chea in the atrocities.
But Nuon Chea has consistently denied any responsibility for the regime's mass brutality, though he has said he was ready to face the tribunal.
Pol Pot died in 1998 and his former military chief, Ta Mok, died in 2006 in government custody.
Nuon Chea's senior-level colleagues — Ieng Sary, the former foreign minister, and Khieu Samphan, the former head of state — live freely in Cambodia but are in declining health. They are also widely believed to be on the prosecutors' list.
Trials are expected to begin early next year.
Son Arun, a private attorney, said he met with Nuon Chea for the first time Thursday.
"There are many things for me to do, many documents for me to research. This is a heavy burden, but I am happy to take up the job," Son Arun said.
Nuon Chea can also choose a foreign lawyer — an arrangement offered by the U.N.-backed Cambodian genocide tribunal, it said in a statement Friday.
The 82-year-old former Khmer Rouge ideologist is being detained on charges of crimes against humanity and war crimes in connection with the atrocities that caused the death of some 1.7 million people during the Khmer Rouge's 1975-79 rule.
Nuon Chea was arrested at his home in Pailin in northwestern Cambodia and flown to the capital, Phnom Penh, Wednesday.
The tribunal statement said Nuon Chea has claimed he does not have money to pay for his legal fees. If it is determined he cannot afford the legal fees, the tribunal will pick up the costs, the statement said.
Son Arun is a member of the Cambodian Bar Association and has worked in private practice for over 11 years. He has represented defendants charged with serious crimes, including terrorism, the statement said without elaborating.
Son Arun said he was surprised to learn on Wednesday that Nuon Chea wanted him as his lawyer.
Nuon Chea is the second, and highest-ranking, Khmer Rouge leader held to appear before the panel.
Kaing Guek Eav, also known as Duch, who headed the former Khmer Rouge S-21 torture center, was charged on July 31 with crimes against humanity. Prosecutors have recommended three other suspects for trial, but have not named them publicly.
The tribunal is investigating abuses committed when the communist Khmer Rouge held power in 1975-79. The Khmer Rouge's radical policies have been blamed for the deaths of 1.7 million of their countrymen from starvation, ill health, overwork and execution.
Duch has also implicated Nuon Chea in the atrocities.
But Nuon Chea has consistently denied any responsibility for the regime's mass brutality, though he has said he was ready to face the tribunal.
Pol Pot died in 1998 and his former military chief, Ta Mok, died in 2006 in government custody.
Nuon Chea's senior-level colleagues — Ieng Sary, the former foreign minister, and Khieu Samphan, the former head of state — live freely in Cambodia but are in declining health. They are also widely believed to be on the prosecutors' list.
Trials are expected to begin early next year.
2 comments:
Nuon Chea can choose one or two lawyer for his trial: He is so lucky as compare to the million of people that have been executed under his control.
His family and friends should consider it as a chance and never complain on his destiny.
Why need to spend so much time and so much money for this trial.
Just say they are CIA and we can kill them.
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