Tuesday, August 18, 2009

Khmer Rouge court hears NZ family despairKerri Ritchie, Auckland

Tuesday, August 18, 2009
ABC Radio Australia

A New Zealand man whose brother was murdered by the Khmer Rouge has told a war crimes court in Cambodia he felt like killing the head of the torture prison where his brother died.

New Zealander Rob Hamill has come face to face with Kaing Guek Eav, who is standing trial before the tribunal.

Hamill, an Olympic rowing competitor, slowly read out a victim impact statement to the court in Phnom Penh.

His brother, Kerry, was one of three foreigners killed by the Khmer Rouge when their yacht was blown off course into Cambodian waters in 1978.

The prison chief, known simply as Duch, is accused of overseeing the torture and execution of 15,000 people.

Mr Hamill told Duch he had ruined his family.

"At times I've imagined you shackled, starved and clubbed, viciously, viciously."

Duch has admitted running the jail but insists he was not a big boss in the Khmer Rouge.

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