Source: AFP
The Khmer Rouge prison chief known as Duch has admitted responsibility for his crimes at his UN-backed trial and asked the families of the regime's victims for forgiveness.
"May I be permitted to apologise to the survivors of the regime and also the loved ones of those who died brutally during the regime. I ask not that you forgive me now, but hope you will later," Duch told the court.
"As a member of the (Khmer Rouge) I recognise responsibility for what happened at Tuol Sleng," he said, speaking in the Khmer language.
Duch's defence team asked that he be allowed to address the court after prosecutors spent the morning outlining their case against him for war crimes, crimes against humanity, torture and premeditated murder.
But while the former prison chief expressed his regrets for running the detention centre which killed up to 15,000 people, he also insisted that he did not hold a senior role in the 1975 to 1979 regime.
"I was in a life and death situation for myself and my family," he said.
He went on to show an illustration he drew of the senior Khmer Rouge leadership structure, with Pol Pot as its leader and Nuon Chea, another current detainee at the court, as the deputy. Pol Pot died in 1998.
After Duch finished speaking, his defence lawyer Kar Savuth said by prosecuting Duch, the trial was not living up to its commitment to take on those most responsible for the crimes of the regime.
"How can justice be done and how can the victims who survived accept this?" Kar Savuth said.
"Duch is being prosecuted as a scapegoat on behalf of the other 195 chiefs of prisons. Please consider that fact."
"May I be permitted to apologise to the survivors of the regime and also the loved ones of those who died brutally during the regime. I ask not that you forgive me now, but hope you will later," Duch told the court.
"As a member of the (Khmer Rouge) I recognise responsibility for what happened at Tuol Sleng," he said, speaking in the Khmer language.
Duch's defence team asked that he be allowed to address the court after prosecutors spent the morning outlining their case against him for war crimes, crimes against humanity, torture and premeditated murder.
But while the former prison chief expressed his regrets for running the detention centre which killed up to 15,000 people, he also insisted that he did not hold a senior role in the 1975 to 1979 regime.
"I was in a life and death situation for myself and my family," he said.
He went on to show an illustration he drew of the senior Khmer Rouge leadership structure, with Pol Pot as its leader and Nuon Chea, another current detainee at the court, as the deputy. Pol Pot died in 1998.
After Duch finished speaking, his defence lawyer Kar Savuth said by prosecuting Duch, the trial was not living up to its commitment to take on those most responsible for the crimes of the regime.
"How can justice be done and how can the victims who survived accept this?" Kar Savuth said.
"Duch is being prosecuted as a scapegoat on behalf of the other 195 chiefs of prisons. Please consider that fact."
7 comments:
"Even a young monk who devotes himself to the teaching of the Buddha,illumines this world as does the moon freed from a cloud"
"yo-hak vétak hak-ror ,phikhu yugn chhati puthsané sor-imaing lokaing ,paphear séti akphea mutorvak munti mear"
"NICHHAING TATOR, ASONTA-YI VITA-NHOR AK-NAING KAKNOR, UTCHIN-TI PHAVAK SAN THA NI, ANTI MO-YAING SAMOU-SAMO-SAYA-YOR"
"HE WHO HAS REACHED THE GOAL,IS FEARLESS,HAS BROKEN THE SHAFTS OF EXISTENCE,-OF SUCH A ONE THIS IS THE FINAL FORM"
Now we have what we all wanted.
But who were or will be the responsible for more than 70.000 innocent Khmers included some of my family member were died by the US bombs before 1975 ?
My whole Family are Khmer and not Vietcong or Khmer Rouge supporters.
I forgive him, he is simply just a man obeying his superiors. Many people had to do things they didn't want to do during that time including the victims who turned on each other for their own survival.
I can see that Duch is sincere and sympathetic in the court, he has showed more cooperation and understanding than the heartless KR leaders and those KR who are in the government.
I am concluding that Duch is simply being used as a scapegoat for those KR who are free whom are running the government now.
King Sihanouk said NO! i'm not going to say shit!
King Sihanouk is betrayal his country and his people and his parent and his ancestors...king sihanouk is a shameful king of khmer hisotry!!
Apologies accepted...now you are charged with crimes against humanity. You will be punished according to the verdict of the court...DO NOT expect lesser punishment just because you have apologized...khmer people will not be fooled by your apologies...they only accept and understand. At least Mr. Duch is willing to admit the crimes he committed. Those other KR leaders are pure cowards!
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