Khmer Rouge Leaders Face Court Together, Briefly

Nuon Chea, former deputy secretary of the Communist Party of Kampuchea, adjusts his sunglasses during a joint hearing with other top Khmer Rouge leaders, Khieu Samphan, its head of state, and Ieng Thirith, former social affairs minister, at the outside the court hall of the U.N.-backed genocide tribunal. (Photo: AFP)

Kong Sothanarith, VOA Khmer
Phnom Penh Monday, 31 January 2011

“I have only one request ... that [the court] apply the law.”

Three aging Khmer Rouge leaders appeared together at the UN-backed tribunal for the first time on Thursday, if only briefly, as the court considered their motions to be released ahead of a trial expected later this year.

Nuon Chea, Khieu Samphan and Ieng Thirith have sought release ahead of their atrocity crimes trial on grounds they have been detained beyond a time limit established by the court.

Jasper Pauw, a defense lawyer for Nuon Chea, the regime’s chief ideologue, said it would be unlawful to detain his client longer under tribunal rules, which stipulate a four-month window from the time investigating judges issue their closing order—Sept. 15, 2010, in this case.

The three were only in the hearing together briefly. Ieng Thirith, 78, former social affairs minister for the regime, left shortly after the hearing began. No reason was given, but a defense attorney said last weak she did not want to face Nuon Chea.

Frail and unrepentant: Top Khmer Rouge leaders appear in court to argue for release as they await genocide trial

On the stand: 'Brother Number Two' Nuon Chea listens in court and, right, former head of the Khmer Rouge state Khieu Samphan has headphones on

Custody: Khmer Rouge 'First Lady' Ieng Thirith, a former social affairs minister, left the court hearing early

31st January 2011
By DAILY MAIL REPORTER (UK)

Three top Khmer Rouge leaders made a joint appearance before a UN-backed war crimes court today to seek release from custody as they await trial for genocide.

'Brother Number Two' Nuon Chea and ex-social affairs minister Ieng Thirith looked frail as they sat in the courtroom with former head of state Khieu Samphan.

There are strong concerns that not all of the defendants, who are aged between 78 and 85, will live to see a verdict.

Former Khmer Rouge Leaders ask Court to Release Them

Nuon Chea, former deputy secretary of the Communist Party of Kampuchea, looks on during a joint hearing with other top Khmer Rouge leaders, Khieu Samphan, former head of state, and Ieng Thirith, former social affairs minister, at the court hall of the U.N.-backed genocide tribunal on the outskirts of Phnom Penh, Cambodia, January 31, 2011. (Photo: AP)

Robert Carmichael, VOA
Phnom Penh January 31, 2011

In Cambodia, defense lawyers for three former Khmer Rouge leaders - set to stand trial later this year - called on the international war crimes tribunal in Phnom Penh to release them.

Monday marked the first time that the three former Khmer Rouge leaders have appeared together at the international war crimes tribunal.

Their lawyers asked the court to release them ahead of their trial, which is expected to start later this year.

They told the court their elderly clients had been in pre-trial detention for longer than the tribunal’s rules permitted.

Khmer Rouge suspects seek release ahead of trial

Monday, January 31, 2011
By Suy Se (AFP)

PHNOM PENH — Three top Khmer Rouge leaders made a rare joint appearance before Cambodia's UN-backed war crimes court on Monday to seek release from custody while they await trial for genocide.

"Brother Number Two" Nuon Chea and ex-social affairs minister Ieng Thirith looked frail as they sat in the courtroom with former head of state Khieu Samphan, underscoring fears that not all the defendants, aged 78 to 85, will live to see a verdict.

Along with a fourth accused they face charges of war crimes, crimes against humanity, genocide and related crimes under Cambodian laws in connection with the deaths of up to two million people between 1975 and 1979 from starvation, overwork and execution.

Lawyers for the three called for their "immediate release", claiming their continued detention was illegal because the defendants had not been brought to trial four months after their indictments were issued.

Lawyers for three ex-Khmer Rouge call for their release

Jan 31, 2011
DPA

Phnom Penh - Cambodia's international war crimes tribunal said Monday that it would rule by mid-February on an appeal for provisional release by three aging Khmer Rouge leaders.

Lawyers for the former leaders, who were arrested in 2007, argued that rules governing the court dictated that their clients should be freed immediately to await the trial expected later this year.

They argued an earlier ruling that the four former Khmer Rouge shoul remain in custody breached the court's rules.

Former Khmer Rouge head of state Khieu Samphan addressed the court briefly.

'I have just one suggestion,' he said. 'Please abide by the law.'

Top KRouge suspects seek release ahead of trial

Former Khmer Rouge leader "Brother Number Two" Nuon Chea

Monday, January 31, 2011
AFP

PHNOM PENH — Three top Khmer Rouge leaders made a rare joint appearance before Cambodia's UN-backed war crimes court on Monday to seek release from custody while they await trial for genocide.

"Brother Number Two" Nuon Chea and ex-social affairs minister Ieng Thirith looked frail as they sat in the courtroom with former head of state Khieu Samphan, underscoring fears that not all the defendants, aged 78 to 85, will live to see a verdict.

Along with a fourth accused they face charges of war crimes, crimes against humanity, genocide and related crimes under Cambodian laws in connection with the deaths of up to two million people between 1975 and 1979 from starvation, overwork and execution.

Lawyers for the three called for their "immediate release", claiming their continued detention was illegal because the defendants had not been brought to trial four months after their indictments were issued.

Lawyers call for release of three ex-Khmer Rouge leaders

Jan 31, 2011
DPA

Phnom Penh - An international war crimes tribunal in Cambodia Monday heard an appeal by defence lawyers that it release three former leaders of the Khmer Rouge movement ahead of their trial, which is expected to start later this year.

Four former leaders of the movement have been held in pre-trial detention at the UN-backed court, which is based in Phnom Penh.

Lawyers said the rules of the court meant that their clients, who were arrested in 2007, should be released since they had already been held for longer than permitted.

The movement's former head of state, Khieu Samphan, addressed the court briefly, and told the judges he had little to add to his lawyer's submission.

Dizzy Nuon Chea asks to be excused from hearing this morning

Nuon Chea (Photo: Reuters)

31 Jan 2011
Everyday.com.kh
Translated from Khmer by Soch

Nuon Chea, aka Brother No. 2 during the KR regime, left the court room at 10:15AM on Monday morning when he was attending his hearing to request bail. Son Arun, Nuon Chea’s lawyer, told the court that Nuon Chea had a headache and was very dizzy, therefore he could not attend the hearing. 84-year old Nuon Chea asked to get out so that a doctor can check up on him. The hearing for bail request by Nuon Chea, Khieu Samphan and Ieng Thirith was held on Monday morning at 9:30AM. Ieng Thirith left the courtroom a few minutes after the hearing started and she asked that her lawyer take care of her case.

Lawyer Seeks Bail For 2 Thais Still Jailed In Cambodia

BANGKOK, Jan 26 (Bernama) -- A lawyer has filed a petition in Cambodia's Supreme Court seeking bail for two other Thais who remain in Cambodia, reports Thai News Agency (TNA).

The Thai Foreign Ministry's Information Department Director-General Thanee Thongpakdee said on Wednesday the lawyer had sought bail for Veera Somkwamkid and Miss Ratree Pipatanapaibul from the Cambodian Supreme Court on January 20.

Under the Cambodian law, he said there was not a deadline for the Cambodian Supreme Court to consider the bail request although the Cambodian Appeal Court must consider such a request within five days.

However, Thanee said Thai authorities expected a clear response from the Cambodian Supreme Court within this week.

Cambodia Releases Four More Thai Detainees on Bail

Four More Thais Released Ahead of Trial

Thai activists, from right, Ratree Pipatanapaiboon, Veera Somkwamkid, Kochpontorn Chusanaseree, Samdin Lersbusya, eat breakfast at Phnom Penh Appeal Court, on Tuesday. (Photo: AP)

Heng Reaksmey, VOA Khmer
Phnom Penh Tuesday, 18 January 2011

"During my detention in jail, no one hurt me. And we were all detained together in one room."

The Cambodian Appeals Court on Tuesday let free on bail four more Thais arrested for alleged illegal border crossing, but they kept one in jail who is also facing charges of espionage.

The decision overruled a ruling by the Phnom Penh Municipal Court last week to hold five of seven Thais arrested in December in Banteay Meanchey province.

Veera Somkwamkid, a leader of the "yellow shirt" People's Alliance for Democracy, was not granted bail. He is facing charges of illegal entry, trespassing on military land and for gathering evidence against the state of Cambodia.

Four Thais bailed, one sent back to jail in border crossing case

Jan 17, 2011
DPA

Phnom Penh - The Appeal Court on Tuesday ordered four imprisoned Thais to be released on bail, but said the fifth detainee, political activist Veera Somkwamkit, must stay behind bars.

The ruling follows last week's decision by the lower court to free two of the original group of seven arrested on Cambodian soil on December 29.

One of those freed on bail last week was parliamentarian Panich Vikitsreth of Thailand's ruling Democrat Party.

All seven have been charged with illegally crossing the border into Cambodia, and illegal entry into a military area. They face maximum 18-month jail terms if convicted.

Cambodian court grants bail request by four Thai detainees, but not key activist

PHNOM PENH, Jan 18 (MCOT online news) - The Cambodian Court of Appeals on Tuesday granted the bail petition by another four Thais detained in Phnom Penh for trespassing charges, except for Veera Somkwamkid, a coordinator of the Thai Patriots Network, who is still being held in Prey Sar prison.

Apart from trespassing charges, Mr Veera is also charged with espionage.

The court said Mr Veera could seek bail at the Supreme Court.

The four temporarily released on Tuesday were 2nd Lt Samdin Lertbutr, Tainae Mungmajon, Kitchaponthorn Chusanasevi and Ratree Pipattanapaiboon who has also been charged with espionage.

Mr Veera told reporters upon leaving the court that he was the sole detainee denied bail, but that he would fight to the end.

Court hears bail plea today

January 18, 2011
THE NATION

The Cambodian Appeals Court will open today to hear a new request for bail by five Thais held for illegal entry, Foreign Ministry spokesman Thani Thongpakdi said yesterday.

The ministry hoped the five people would be released once the court considered their case, he said.

Seven Thais including Democrat Party MP Panich Vikitsreth and yellow-shirt activist Veera Somkwamkid were arrested near Sa Kaew's Ban Nong Chan while inspecting a disputed border area on December 29.

They were charged with illegal entry into the country and a military zone.

They could face 18 months in jail if convicted.

[Cambodian] Court hears bail bid today [for border trespassing Thais]

Road block: Members of the Thai Patriots Network and Santi Asoke sect block Phitsanulok Road beside Government House to build makeshift shelters for a prolonged rally. The group says it will petition His Majesty the King to oust the Democrat-led government for failing to obtain the release of seven Thai detainees in Cambodia. PATTANAPONG HIRUNARD

Veera and his secretary 'unlikely to be released'

18/01/2011
Anucha Charoenpo
Bangkok Post

PHNOM PENH : Cambodia's Appeal Court is expected to decide today whether to grant bail to five Thais being held in Prey Sar prison on trespassing charges.

The five are scheduled to arrive at the court at 7am and are expected to be taken to a chamber to await the court decision on their bail request, said Pon Savath, the chief clerk of the court.

Mr Pon said the media would be allowed in the courtroom but would be barred from taking photographs.

Three judges have been appointed to consider the bail request and they are expected to arrive at their decision within two to three hours.

Cambodian Court to consider bail request for five Thais on Tuesday

BANGKOK, Jan 17 (MCOT online news) – Cambodia’s Appeals Court is scheduled to consider bail requests Tuesday for five Thais charged with trespassing into Cambodian territory, Thani Thongpakdi, director-general of the foreign ministry's information department said.

Lawyers representing the Thai defendants submitted bail requests on Jan 14 and Mr Thani said it is likely to be clear within this week when the Cambodian court will schedule to hand down its verdict.

There has been no progress reported so far since the court heard the case of Veera Somkwamkid and Ratree Pipatanapaiboon, who are charged with gathering information that could pose a threat to Cambodian security, the director-general said.

P.Penh bail appeal decision Tuesday [18 Jan]

17/01/2011
Bangkok Post

The Appeals Court of Cambodia is expected to decide on Tuesday whether to grant bail to five Thais denied bail by the Phnom Penh Municipal Court last week.

Pon Savath, chief clerk of the Appeal Court, said the five would be taken from Prey Sar prison to the court tomorrow when the appeal would be examined.

The court is expected to decide immediately after the examination whether to allow their release on bail.

If they were again denied bail, the five could appeal to the Supreme Court in 15 days.

The five are Veera Somkwamkid, a coordinator of the Thai Patriots Network, Ratree Pipatanapaiboon, Mr Veera's secretary, Samdin Lertbutr and Tainae Mungmajon of the Santi Asoke sect, and Kitchaponthorn Chusanasevi.

Five Thais in border-crossing case to appeal denial of bail

Jan 16, 2011
DPA

Phnom Penh - A lawyer representing five Thai citizens in pre-trial detention in Phnom Penh said they would again apply for bail, national media reported Monday.

Lawyer Pech Vicheka told the Cambodia Daily newspaper that a bail hearing had been scheduled for Tuesday at the Appeal Court.

Late last week the lower court granted bail to two of the seven Thais who were arrested on December 29 on suspicion of illegally crossing into Cambodia.

A statement from Cambodia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the two had been released on health grounds.

One of those freed on bail on Thursday was parliamentarian Panich Vikitsreth of Thailand's ruling Democrat Party.

Court denies bail for 5 jailed Thais

Govt lodges appeal with Cambodian court

15/01/2011
Bangkok Post

PHNOM PENH : The Foreign Ministry has lodged an appeal with the Phnom Penh municipal court seeking a review of its decision to deny bail to the remaining five Thais held in the Cambodian capital.

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva yesterday said the request for a judicial review was submitted immediately after the court rejected bail bids for the five.

The government expects the results of the review early next week.

Mr Abhisit said the government is determined to have all of them released or at least bailed.

Bail Requested For Seven Thai Detainees In Cambodia

BANGKOK, Jan 11 (Bernama) -- Thailand's lawyers have submitted a bail request for seven Thai detainees in Cambodia, whereby two of them have now faced additional charges, making attempts to seek for their release more complicated, according Thai news agency on Tuesday.

The bail request was submitted to the Cambodian court on Monday (Jan 10) and will take about five days for the Phnom Penh court to consider and decide on the request, resulting in the seven Thai nationals' continued stay in the Prey Sar Prison in the Cambodian capital in the meantime.

The seven Thais, including a Bangkok MP of the ruling Democrat Party Panich Vikitsreth, and a leading activist of the Thai Patriots Network aligned with the yellow-shirt People's Alliance for Democracy or PAD, Veera Somkwamkid, were arrested by Cambodian soldiers on December 29.