By Huy Vannak
Radio Free Asia
Translated from Khmer by Heng Soy
Recently, researchers from the Documentation Center of Cambodia (DCCam) have unearthed 500-page of documents related 4 former KR leaders: Nuon Chea who is currently temporarily jailed, Ieng Sary, Ieng Thirith, and Khieu Samphan, all of whom are expected to be brought in to the KR Tribunal soon.
Chhang Youk, DCCam director, declared on Wednesday that the search for these documents was done based on a request made by the co-prosecutors of the KR Tribunal: “Because this is a request they made in the past, we did the search and located them. For example, the request (for documents) on the history of the party central committee of the Communist Party of Cambodia, on the passports used by the (DK) leaders, these are some of the examples. They (documents) are important for the main issue, for example, the driver’s licenses etc…, they are of these types, and a number of other cases is related to new information which we just received from outside (source). They were sent to us because (people) heard about the (KR) Tribunal and such, and these new documents are political documents.”
While the co-prosecutors and the co-investigation judges of the KR Tribunal (KRT) are gathering proofs and witnesses in order to bring charges on the former KR leaders, Son Arun, Nuon Chea’s defense lawyer, is also busy gathering documents from DCCam in order to help the case of his defendant.
Son Arun said: “We are gathering all of them (documents), and then we will find means to help him. Of all the documents that DCCam has, for us as the defendants, we cannot say that they are all true, sometimes, they could be just made up also.”
Nevertheless, it is not yet known how effective the defense is for Nuon Chea, the KR Brother No. 2, who is currently faced with charges that could lead to his lifetime imprisonment.
According to a KRT official, Nuon Chea was questioned several times already, but he persisted in not responding to the question.
Up to now, two KR leaders among all the suspected KR leaders are under temporary incarceration. The two are: Kaing Kek Iev, aka Duch, and Nuon Chea.
Last week, Hor Nam Hong, the minister of foreign affairs, declared that a number of other KR leaders could be called in by the KRT. It is hoped that the newly uncovered documents will bring more proofs to be used to justify the summoning of the remaining KR leaders.
Chhang Youk, DCCam director, declared on Wednesday that the search for these documents was done based on a request made by the co-prosecutors of the KR Tribunal: “Because this is a request they made in the past, we did the search and located them. For example, the request (for documents) on the history of the party central committee of the Communist Party of Cambodia, on the passports used by the (DK) leaders, these are some of the examples. They (documents) are important for the main issue, for example, the driver’s licenses etc…, they are of these types, and a number of other cases is related to new information which we just received from outside (source). They were sent to us because (people) heard about the (KR) Tribunal and such, and these new documents are political documents.”
While the co-prosecutors and the co-investigation judges of the KR Tribunal (KRT) are gathering proofs and witnesses in order to bring charges on the former KR leaders, Son Arun, Nuon Chea’s defense lawyer, is also busy gathering documents from DCCam in order to help the case of his defendant.
Son Arun said: “We are gathering all of them (documents), and then we will find means to help him. Of all the documents that DCCam has, for us as the defendants, we cannot say that they are all true, sometimes, they could be just made up also.”
Nevertheless, it is not yet known how effective the defense is for Nuon Chea, the KR Brother No. 2, who is currently faced with charges that could lead to his lifetime imprisonment.
According to a KRT official, Nuon Chea was questioned several times already, but he persisted in not responding to the question.
Up to now, two KR leaders among all the suspected KR leaders are under temporary incarceration. The two are: Kaing Kek Iev, aka Duch, and Nuon Chea.
Last week, Hor Nam Hong, the minister of foreign affairs, declared that a number of other KR leaders could be called in by the KRT. It is hoped that the newly uncovered documents will bring more proofs to be used to justify the summoning of the remaining KR leaders.
