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| Ieng Thirith, former social affairs minister of Khmer Rouge regime and one of four leaders expected to face trial next year, shown at Cambodia's war crimes tribunal near Phnom Penh. (VOA Khmer file photo) |
Oct 21, 2011 (M2 PRESSWIRE) -- One of the Khmer Rouge regime leaders facing genocide and other war crime charges has been diagnosed with dementia and may not be able to participate in court proceedings, the United Nations-backed tribunal in Cambodia heard today.
According to the UN Assistance to the Khmer Rouge trials (UNAKRT), a decision on whether Ieng Thirith, former Social Affairs Minister for the Democratic Kampuchea, can continue with trial proceedings will be issued before the start of substantive hearings next month.
Ms. Ieng is on trial for genocide and other crimes against humanity along with her husband and former foreign minister Ieng Sary, former Brother Number Two Nuon Chea, and former head of State Khieu Samphan, all leaders of the Khmer Rouge regime during the late 1970s.
Four expert psychiatrists who examined her last month diagnosed Ms. Thirith with clinical dementia, most likely Alzheimer's, which would hinder her participation in court hearings.
"She has a diagnosis of dementia... This was a consensus diagnosis, so we all agreed on this," forensic psychiatrist Seena Fazel told the trial chamber of the Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia (ECCC), which was established based on an agreement between the Cambodian Government and the UN.
The experts told the court that while she did understand questions posed to her, she had trouble understanding why they were being asked, and did not remember the name of her husband or whether she had a son.
"We came to the conclusion that she would have considerable difficulty following court proceedings," said Huot Lina, who also took part in the examination.
Ms. Ieng's counsel, Diana Ellis, argued it would be unfair if she was tried when she was unable to comprehend the nature of the charges and to participate in the proceedings in a meaningful way.
"We submit that it would be wrong to let her stand to trial in this circumstance," she said, urging the chamber to sever her from the case and consider discontinuation.
However, prosecutors oppose the move, saying doctors had found Ms. Ieng could still understand the meaning of questions and was capable of interacting with others, arguing this would enable her to participate in the proceedings.
3 comments:
Judging Khmer rouge without judging yuons is just a joke because youns are mastermind of Khmer rouge and the killing field. Yuons are the real murderers. Letting yuons get out of the crimes committed against Khmer is another crime against humanity and the DENY of justice for the victims of yuon atrocity and hatred. Internal community must STOP TO BE ACCOMPLICE of hanoi crimes by deny yuon Hanoi crimes and atrocities against Khmer and other weak and innocent people in SEA.
Dear 12:48 AM, I agree with you not 100 % but 1000 %.
Just look at some events and part of our real Khmer history as follow:
1. Who Khmer Issarak led by Achar Mean or also known as Son Ngoc Minh?
2. Look at Heng Samrin, Chea Sim and many more were forme Khmer Viet Minh from Khmer Viet Minh became Khmer Rouge between 1975-1979 and then at 7 Jan 1979 became CPP?
So who formed CPP and Khmer Viet Minh?
The answers is obvious CPP previous name was Khmer People's Revolution Party formed officially in 1951 by late Ho Chi Minh led by Son Ngoc Minh or better known as Achar Mean.
Note:
Son Ngoc Minh or Achar Meam left Cambodia after Genevea Peace Agreement in Cambodia to Hanoi till 1972 and left Hanoi to chinese hospital for hight blood pressure and stroke treatment and passed away there.
Who's illegible to determine that all the so called " expert psychiatrists " sane enough to determine that Ms. Ieng Thirith or
any other Khmer rouge leaders fit for trial?????????
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