Hearing for Ill Ieng Sary Postponed [-Hun Sen couldn't be more pleased by this news]

By Kong Sothanarith, VOA Khmer
Original report from Phnom Penh
27 February 2009

The Pre-Trial Chamber of the Khmer Rouge tribunal has postponed until April a hearing on jailed regime leader Ieng Sary, citing health concerns.

Chamber judges accepted an appeal by Ieng Sary’s attorneys to postpone a hearing until April 2, “due to the situation of health of the charged person,” judge Prak Kim San said at the end of an appeals hearing for the extension of provisional detention.

A doctor’s report on the health of Ieng Sary, 84, who was not present, had led to the conclusion, Prak Kim San said.

Ieng Sary’s American attorney, Michael Karnavas, said his client’s situation was “serious,” and he welcomed the postponement.

Ieng Sary is charged with war crimes and crimes against humanity for his role as foreign minister of the regime.

His health remains the poorest among five jailed leaders, and he returned to detention for a two-day hospital visit Wednesday, following the discovery of blood in his urine.