PHNOM PENH (AFP) – The former Khmer Rouge prison chief has told Cambodia's UN-backed war crimes court he knew the hard-line communist regime would eventually be brought to justice.
Duch -- real name Kaing Guek Eav -- is on trial for overseeing the torture and extermination of 15,000 people who passed through the regime's Tuol Sleng prison, also known as S-21.
"It is clear that the communist party (Khmer Rouge) could not avoid being prosecuted of the crimes they have committed," Duch told the five-judge panel.
"Everyone was involved, including I myself," he said.
As he detailed the regime's ruthless killing policy, the former maths teacher said party members lived in fear of reprisal by senior officers.
"We did not betray the party. We did not want to say anything about the party or we would be beheaded," Duch said.
He said the party also imposed an "absolute" policy that ruled those sent to S-21 would never be released.
"When people were perceived as enemies and arrested and sent to S-21, no one was entitled to release them, (not) even Pol Pot, the most senior person of the Khmer Rouge," Duch said.
Duch is charged with crimes against humanity, war crimes, torture and premeditated murder over the extermination of thousands of people between 1975 and 1979 at Tuol Sleng and the nearby "Killing Fields."
However, he has denied prosecutors' claims that he played a central role in the Khmer Rouge's iron-fisted rule, and maintains he only tortured two people himself and never personally executed anyone.
Duch faces life in jail at the court, which does not have the power to impose the death penalty.
Khmer Rouge leader Pol Pot died in 1998 and many believe the UN-sponsored tribunal is the last chance to find justice for victims of the regime, which killed up to two million people.
The tribunal was formed in 2006 after nearly a decade of wrangling between the United Nations and Cambodian government, and is scheduled to try four other senior Khmer Rouge leaders.
Duch -- real name Kaing Guek Eav -- is on trial for overseeing the torture and extermination of 15,000 people who passed through the regime's Tuol Sleng prison, also known as S-21.
"It is clear that the communist party (Khmer Rouge) could not avoid being prosecuted of the crimes they have committed," Duch told the five-judge panel.
"Everyone was involved, including I myself," he said.
As he detailed the regime's ruthless killing policy, the former maths teacher said party members lived in fear of reprisal by senior officers.
"We did not betray the party. We did not want to say anything about the party or we would be beheaded," Duch said.
He said the party also imposed an "absolute" policy that ruled those sent to S-21 would never be released.
"When people were perceived as enemies and arrested and sent to S-21, no one was entitled to release them, (not) even Pol Pot, the most senior person of the Khmer Rouge," Duch said.
Duch is charged with crimes against humanity, war crimes, torture and premeditated murder over the extermination of thousands of people between 1975 and 1979 at Tuol Sleng and the nearby "Killing Fields."
However, he has denied prosecutors' claims that he played a central role in the Khmer Rouge's iron-fisted rule, and maintains he only tortured two people himself and never personally executed anyone.
Duch faces life in jail at the court, which does not have the power to impose the death penalty.
Khmer Rouge leader Pol Pot died in 1998 and many believe the UN-sponsored tribunal is the last chance to find justice for victims of the regime, which killed up to two million people.
The tribunal was formed in 2006 after nearly a decade of wrangling between the United Nations and Cambodian government, and is scheduled to try four other senior Khmer Rouge leaders.
13 comments:
Here's a today brief history for Puok Ah Jkuot Jruok Khmer-overseas escapees.
Apr. 30, 1970: Pres. Richard M. Nixon announces, “In cooperation with the armed forces of South Vietnam, attacks are being launched this week to clean out major enemy sanctuaries on the Cambodian-Vietnam border. … This is not an invasion of Cambodia. The areas in which these attacks will be launched are completely occupied and controlled by North Vietnamese forces. Our purpose is not to occupy the areas. Once enemy forces are driven out of these sanctuaries and once their military supplies are destroyed, we will withdraw.”
Now you know!
PPU
ppu,
We do not need a history lesson from a guy like you........if you wanted to have a constructive criticism,you shouldn't start by calling people name like that....be civilized.....
I could do the same to you,but I refuse to do so...it is not WORTH IT...
5:23 PM
In this day and age, you have the technology to express your rights, particularly in a democratic country. Certainly, you're entitled to exercise your freedom of (responsible)speech. Who's STOPPING you?! I'm NOT!
PPU
5:23 PM
What do you people know about "civility," when you people are incessantly lambasting and berating our prime minister.
You should starting listening -- not dictating.
Or should I call you Ah "Jkuout Jruok," or Mee "Jkuout Jruok."
PPU
You have EVERY RIGHT to express you opinion.......but BE CIVILIZED !!!!
All I have to say ,you can go on....
ppu
you are good take your mum, sisters and daughters to sleep with hun sen and listen to him in bed so they can become loyal and satisfy like you......hhhahhaahheee......there you go ah Jkuout Jruok.
5:49 PM
You people JUST don't get it!
Why not just call it quit?
PPU
too early and late to quit the pant is down and the middle leg is up so why should brake apply......full throttle ahead......hhheehhheehhheeee...
UPP
UPP = UNI PENIS PARTY
CPPU or 6.28PM you know how happy we are to see your boss hoc lundi going to hell. We will be happier to see hun sen another boss of your going to hell as well. It's not much longer when more and more people cursing him.
6:48 PM I'm on your side man....are you mad, confuse or what......I'm UPP not that PPU.......this is funny man you don't know who is who and which side is friend or foe....read it carefully again....before you hit....this is dangerous like pourk ah KR HUN SEN.......hhhahhaahhaaaeeee
I am partly agreeing with Duch, in 1977 after repeatedly failing the assassinations of Pol Pot, Every KR senior officers are mentally in fear, because they acknowledgeably knew that "rather killing a thousand folks than letting one criminal away".
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