Mean Veasna, VOA Khmer
Original report from Phnom Penh
24 October 2007
The two-part hearing to decide whether Kaing Khek Iev, alias Duch, will be released from jail ahead of his atrocity crimes trial has been set for mid-November, Khmer Rouge tribunal officials confirmed Wednesday.
The pre-trial chamber of the special courts will decide in two hearings—one on Nov. 15 and the other on Nov. 20—on whether Duch's incarceration since 1999 was unlawful or an abuse of his rights.
Both "parts" of the hearing will be public, but only the second will be "official," said Prak Kimsan, head of the pre-trial chamber of the tribunal courts. For many Cambodians, the public hearings will offer a first glimpse of the first defendant of the tribunal process.
Duch stands accused of crimes against humanity for his role as the supervisor of Phnom Penh's infamous Tuol Sleng torture center, where as many as 16,000 were tortured and executed.
He was held by Cambodia's military courts from 1999 through July this year, when he was moved to the custody of the tribunal courts.
Duch's Cambodian defense attorney, Kar Savuth declined comment Wednesday.
Tribunal spokesman Reach Sambath said the hearings would give Duch's attorneys the best possible chance to petition for his release ahead of a trial, which has not yet been scheduled but is not expected until at least February 2008.
The Nov. 15 hearing will last "about one hour," Reach Sambath said. "The official hearing on Nov. 20, at 10:00 am, might go on to Nov. 21."
One of the few survivors of Tuol Sleng, painter Van Nath, told VOA Khmer Wednesday he will not attend the hearings, due to poor health. But he said he would regret seeing Duch free ahead of his trial.
"Think about it. He committed many atrocious offenses," Van Nath said. "If the hearing decides to release him, I will be speechless."
The pre-trial chamber of the special courts will decide in two hearings—one on Nov. 15 and the other on Nov. 20—on whether Duch's incarceration since 1999 was unlawful or an abuse of his rights.
Both "parts" of the hearing will be public, but only the second will be "official," said Prak Kimsan, head of the pre-trial chamber of the tribunal courts. For many Cambodians, the public hearings will offer a first glimpse of the first defendant of the tribunal process.
Duch stands accused of crimes against humanity for his role as the supervisor of Phnom Penh's infamous Tuol Sleng torture center, where as many as 16,000 were tortured and executed.
He was held by Cambodia's military courts from 1999 through July this year, when he was moved to the custody of the tribunal courts.
Duch's Cambodian defense attorney, Kar Savuth declined comment Wednesday.
Tribunal spokesman Reach Sambath said the hearings would give Duch's attorneys the best possible chance to petition for his release ahead of a trial, which has not yet been scheduled but is not expected until at least February 2008.
The Nov. 15 hearing will last "about one hour," Reach Sambath said. "The official hearing on Nov. 20, at 10:00 am, might go on to Nov. 21."
One of the few survivors of Tuol Sleng, painter Van Nath, told VOA Khmer Wednesday he will not attend the hearings, due to poor health. But he said he would regret seeing Duch free ahead of his trial.
"Think about it. He committed many atrocious offenses," Van Nath said. "If the hearing decides to release him, I will be speechless."
9 comments:
Van Nath is probably another victim of Ah Khmer-Yuon propanda and brainwashing.
Yes, Duch did inflicted pain and killed many, but that is because he's an executioner, and it is his job to carried out his duty. I am certain that he preferred Van Nath or anyone else to wear his shoes instead of him.
Well, you speechless, then dont speech. you lucky, you still alive.
Because, you were not Yuon Networks.
You are just harmful racist people who always bark Yuon, Yuon, Yuon.....!You become blind and insane due to your stupid racism.
If you were Van Nath, an ex-prisoner of KR Prison S21, you will feel the same. You must understand him.
Duch was an executioner who did his job with Pride and Joice and Self-satisfaction.
Duch is more cruel than the German Nazis. He deserves what he had done.
WELL Hun Sen, Heng Samrin, Men Sam Orn, Uk Rabun, Keat Chhun, Hok Lundy, etc committed many atrocious offenses... And They are FREE...
And I am not speechless!!!!
Yeah, but that is because the ECCC is not trialling people who killed Ah Khmer-Yuon criminals, but Khmer people.
ALL KR LEADERS MUST STAY IN PRISON UNTIL IT OVERS. MILLION OF KHMER SOUL ARE AWAITING FOR THIS JUSTICE. THE TRUTH WILL COME OUT. IS IT YUON POLITIC OR KHMER ROUGH ACT UPON THEM SELF. THE TRIAL MUST GO ON.
Well, Duch is no leader. He's an executioner. Therefore, they must let him go.
2:50PM...
Yeah you're right to let Duch Free.
Then we can execute him... !!!
Khmer canadian... survive from Pol Pot
Come on, dude, you don't know what Duch been through. Just imagine you were Duch, and you have received order to torture one your best friend. How would you react to that?
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