DPA
Phnom Penh - The UN-Cambodian court set up to try former Khmer Rouge leaders adjourned Thursday and reserved judgment on a request by the regime's former foreign minister to have all charges against him dropped on a technicality. The Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia had spent nearly four days hearing legal arguments in what started as an appeal against pretrial detention but quickly developed into a concerted bid for freedom for Ieng Sary, 82.
He was granted amnesty in 1996 by former king Norodom Sihanouk, for a 1979 genocide conviction in a Vietnamese-backed court, in return for his role in persuading the Khmer Rouge to put down their arms.
But the prosecution argued that did not make him exempt from the fresh charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity he was arrested and charged with in November.
"The court has not indicated when it will release a verdict. They are very busy and they still have not handed down a verdict on Ieng Thirith," court spokesman Reach Sambath said, referring to Sary's wife, who is one of five currently in detention at the court but has also appealed her detention.
"This hearing took a very long time because they discussed many aspects ... including the amnesty from the king and also bail."
Sary told the court that jail was causing him to "lose his sentiment" and he missed his family badly.
"I know that in jail, the court cares for me, but no one stays with me," he said, adding this was having an impact on his health.
Up to 2 million people died under the 1975-79 Khmer Rouge regime.
Former head of state Khieu Samphan, former chief ideologue Nuon Chea and director of the Toul Sleng torture center Kaing Guek Eav, known as Duch, are the other former leaders facing crimes against humanity and war crimes charges currently in jail awaiting trial.
He was granted amnesty in 1996 by former king Norodom Sihanouk, for a 1979 genocide conviction in a Vietnamese-backed court, in return for his role in persuading the Khmer Rouge to put down their arms.
But the prosecution argued that did not make him exempt from the fresh charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity he was arrested and charged with in November.
"The court has not indicated when it will release a verdict. They are very busy and they still have not handed down a verdict on Ieng Thirith," court spokesman Reach Sambath said, referring to Sary's wife, who is one of five currently in detention at the court but has also appealed her detention.
"This hearing took a very long time because they discussed many aspects ... including the amnesty from the king and also bail."
Sary told the court that jail was causing him to "lose his sentiment" and he missed his family badly.
"I know that in jail, the court cares for me, but no one stays with me," he said, adding this was having an impact on his health.
Up to 2 million people died under the 1975-79 Khmer Rouge regime.
Former head of state Khieu Samphan, former chief ideologue Nuon Chea and director of the Toul Sleng torture center Kaing Guek Eav, known as Duch, are the other former leaders facing crimes against humanity and war crimes charges currently in jail awaiting trial.
3 comments:
The ECCC must observed and uphold all Cambodian's laws as its intended by our legislature; No rhetorics or stupid excuses will be allowed.
"vietnames back-court"? That decision should be re-considered! Cause it was partial trial,decision.
Who care about Viet court? Right now the question is whether or not a Royal pardon is lawful or not.
Nixon got his pardon, and seem to be lawful in the US.
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