Friday, November 27, 2009

Cambodian ex-prison chief pleads for release

Friday, November 27, 2009
AP

PHNOM PENH, Cambodia — The Khmer Rouge prison chief blamed for thousands of deaths at an infamous torture center has asked Cambodia's genocide tribunal to release him, citing the decade he already has served in jail and his cooperation.

Kaing Guek Eav, also known as Duch (pronounced DOIK), commanded the notorious S-21 prison where those accused of disloyalty to the xenophobic communist regime were held. He oversaw the torture and execution of about 16,000 men, women and children during the Khmer Rouge's reign.

Judges declined to act on Duch's request before ending the trial's proceedings, following several days of closing arguments. They did not announce a date for their ruling, which is expected early next year.

THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP's earlier story is below.

PHNOM PENH, Cambodia (AP) — The Khmer Rouge prison chief blamed for thousands of death at an infamous torture center has asked Cambodia's genocide tribunal to release him, citing the decade he already has served in jail and his cooperation.

Kaing Guek Eav, also known as Duch (pronounced DOIK), commanded the notorious S-21 prison where those accused of disloyalty to the xenophobic communist regime were held. He oversaw the torture and execution of about 16,000 men, women and children during the Khmer Rouge's reign.

Judges declined to act on Duch's request before ending the trial's proceedings, following several days of closing arguments. They did not announce a date for their ruling, which is expected early next year.

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