Monday, June 08, 2009
PHNOM PENH (AFP) — The former jail chief of the Khmer Rouge regime told Cambodia's UN-backed war crimes trial Monday that his staff had murdered babies by smashing them against trees at a "killing field".
Kaing Guek Eav, better known by his nom de guerre Duch, is on trial for overseeing the torture and extermination of 15,000 people who passed through the hardline communist movement's notorious Tuol Sleng prison.
"The horrendous images of those (babies) smashed against trees, yes, that was done my subordinates," Duch said, referring to paintings depicting the atrocities committed by members of the 1975 to 1979 Khmer Rouge regime.
"I myself do not blame my subordinates, because they worked under me. I am criminally responsible," the 66-year-old added.
The former maths teacher, wearing a grey short-sleeved shirt, was responding to prosecution questions about the regime's policies at Tuol Sleng, where prisoners were often accompanied by their children.
Duch apologised at his trial late March, saying he accepted blame for the extermination of thousands of people at the prison, which served as the centre of the 1975-1979 regime's security apparatus.
But 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 if convicted by 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 the Cambodian government, and is expected to next year to begin the trial of four other senior Khmer Rouge leaders also in detention.
Kaing Guek Eav, better known by his nom de guerre Duch, is on trial for overseeing the torture and extermination of 15,000 people who passed through the hardline communist movement's notorious Tuol Sleng prison.
"The horrendous images of those (babies) smashed against trees, yes, that was done my subordinates," Duch said, referring to paintings depicting the atrocities committed by members of the 1975 to 1979 Khmer Rouge regime.
"I myself do not blame my subordinates, because they worked under me. I am criminally responsible," the 66-year-old added.
The former maths teacher, wearing a grey short-sleeved shirt, was responding to prosecution questions about the regime's policies at Tuol Sleng, where prisoners were often accompanied by their children.
Duch apologised at his trial late March, saying he accepted blame for the extermination of thousands of people at the prison, which served as the centre of the 1975-1979 regime's security apparatus.
But 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 if convicted by 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 the Cambodian government, and is expected to next year to begin the trial of four other senior Khmer Rouge leaders also in detention.
7 comments:
THANK YOU A CHKè SIHANOUK and A OUTBAT SEX SLAVE RANNARIDH ...
This is the atrocious behaviour of a typical Cambodian. Even today, many of them still maintaining this unacceptable and shameful act, particularly men.
Look at the daily news, those are the prove.
Answer us please,Mr Sihanouk and Vietcong:How many time a year that people go to Pagoda?
Where is our Lord Buddha?that time.
"Yo Imaing Pali-Pathaing Tu-tathaing ;Saing-saraing Mohak-machakvata ;Tinor Baroatator Chhea-yi;Aknéchho Akathaing-kathey Anuba-teayak Niputor Tama-haing Prumi-pream-naing"
"HE WHO HAS OVER PASSED ILLUSION,THIS MIRY PATH,THIS THORNY ROAD OF THE ROUNDS OF LIVES AND DEATHS,WHO HAS CROSSED,GONE BEYOND,WHO IS MEDITATIVE,DESIRELESS,DONE WITH ALL DOUGHTS,WHO,CLINGING TO NOUGHT;HAS ATTAINED NIBBANA,-HIM I CALL A BRAHMAN." BUDDHA.
Viet leaders who gave birth, armed and endoctrinated Khmer Rouge, including N.Sihanouk, Viet slave, are to judge and blame for these crime against Humanity.
Thank you so very much! Ah Sdach Pleu for creating Khmer rouge vietcong to kills your own people including infants...
Ah Sihanouk Pleu!
Thanks you Sihak Nuk.
Remember you said from PEKING ,that your khmer rouge soldier must kill Capitol 's citizen and clean up Phnom Penh before you return from PEKING and you move to live at Siem Riep in your cottage as a simple people? I am one of survivor and left behind your killing men and women, if God exist you are getting 100 times worse with your cancer that the result of what you did to us.
Sihaknuk in the history book you are a dog king and son of the bitch ,worthless destroyed your mother ,coutry and your own citizen for youn .
Sihanouk is to blame for all of the killing! dumbfuken stupid Sdach thork tiep like Ah Sihanouk kbot cheat!
Post a Comment