Describing Disappearances, Tribunal Witness Breaks Down

Sa Siek

Sa Siek, who had worked for the regime’s information ministry and an “art unit,” was describing the disappearances of several colleagues when she began crying.

17 August 2012
Kong Sothanarith, VOA Khmer

PHNOM PENH - Proceedings at the UN-backed Khmer Rouge tribunal were halted briefly on Thursday, after a witness and former regime cadre broke down on the stand.

Sa Siek, who had worked for the regime’s information ministry and an “art unit,” was describing the disappearances of several colleagues when she began crying.

“Cars came and took them,” she said. “I never knew where they went.”

When she was unable to continue her testimony, judges called a 10-minute recess.

“She has had terrific emotion when there were questions about consecutive disappearances of her colleagues,” judge Nil Nonn said later.

Sa Siek’s testimony is coinciding with the half-day testimonies of Suong Sikoeun, a former official in the regime’s foreign ministry, who described the roles of current government ministers Hor Namhong and Keat Chhon in the Khmer Rouge. His testimony is set to resume.