By Mean Veasna, VOA Khmer
Original report from Phnom Penh
13 June 2008
The Khmer Rouge tribunal is prepared to pursue investigation of additional regime cadre, a prosecutor said, but no decision has been made on whom.
Officials have said in the past as many as 12 former Khmer Rouge leaders could be arrested and charged with atrocity crimes, but so far the tribunal is only holding five of the senior-most leaders.
Robert Petit, co-prosecutor for the tribunal, confirmed Friday that the courts were evaluating the preliminary investigation of more suspects.
"Regarding the nature of the crime committed here, and effectively based on the law and on evidence, [the tribunal] would have further investigations," he said. "We are now in the stage of preliminary investigation and the stage of the evaluation of evidence."
The investigations are being considered by the two prosecutors, but no decision has been made, he said.
"I cannot answer because the decision has not yet been made," he said, when asked how many more might be charged.
Petit said too the first trial of a Khmer Rouge suspect, for Kaing Khek Iev, alias Duch, would be held in September or October.
Youk Chhang, director of the Documentation Center of Cambodia, said the courts would be more likely to find suspects for further investigation once trials of jailed leaders begin.
"We will see [more suspects] after the completion of the trials of the five first suspects," he said.
"I think if they charge more people now, it could turn the citizens' confidence on the court, because they could be confused," he said.
Officials have said in the past as many as 12 former Khmer Rouge leaders could be arrested and charged with atrocity crimes, but so far the tribunal is only holding five of the senior-most leaders.
Robert Petit, co-prosecutor for the tribunal, confirmed Friday that the courts were evaluating the preliminary investigation of more suspects.
"Regarding the nature of the crime committed here, and effectively based on the law and on evidence, [the tribunal] would have further investigations," he said. "We are now in the stage of preliminary investigation and the stage of the evaluation of evidence."
The investigations are being considered by the two prosecutors, but no decision has been made, he said.
"I cannot answer because the decision has not yet been made," he said, when asked how many more might be charged.
Petit said too the first trial of a Khmer Rouge suspect, for Kaing Khek Iev, alias Duch, would be held in September or October.
Youk Chhang, director of the Documentation Center of Cambodia, said the courts would be more likely to find suspects for further investigation once trials of jailed leaders begin.
"We will see [more suspects] after the completion of the trials of the five first suspects," he said.
"I think if they charge more people now, it could turn the citizens' confidence on the court, because they could be confused," he said.
4 comments:
god teach forgiveness for those who repent themselves and reformed professionally. so this can apply to cambodia as well. those who embrace god (i mean all gods) are forgave. let's don't make it more complicated than it isn't! have a change of heart, it can make you feel better both emothionally and spiritually. thank you.
It is Ah Scam Rainxy who is behind the killing, which is why he accuses others so that he can cover himself. That has been his pattern and tactic all along. The ECCC should considered to investigate Ah Scam Rainxy and his clan thoroughly. I don't think they will have any problem finding plenty of witness who is still alive to testify against him.
Don't see why the KR trail should not be doing the investigation, but let starts with the current Admin. first. Especially with those who have big and thick tille which can sheild them just from about everything. Does anyone know who gun down Prince Simatak and Lok Long Boret the every first day KR won the victory? and 2 millions more people followed and died the very same way. Why? where was The Cambodian's court and justice between 1975 and 1979? and is that person still alive and well in this new administration? You bet your life! and Lok Sam Rainsey had nothing to do with it! Those who had blood in their hands'd betetr get their lawyers. Why continue to honor such sick people?!!!!!
it depends. if it necessary or important to calll on witnesses or the benefit for cambodia to do so. but never for politicizing purposes. hope that answers your question.
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