Tribunal Takes Ieng Sary for Check-Up [-No victim of Ieng Sary's regime ever got a checkup!]

By Heng Reaksmey, VOA Khmer
Original report from Phnom Penh
29 January 2008

Khmer Rouge tribunal authorities took jailed leader Ieng Sary for a routine medical examination Monday, to check on his hypertension and other ailments, officials said.

Ieng Sary suffers from heart problems, but doctors at Calmette Hospital would not disclose the findings of Monday’s check-up.

Tribunal spokesman Reach Sambath said Tuesday the courts had a “duty” to ensure Ieng Sary, who is 82 and charged with war crimes and crimes against humanity, was healthy and can face trial.

Hisham Moussar, who monitors the tribunal for the rights group Adhoc, said Tuesday that the fear remains that the accused leaders will die before seeing trial.

Ieng Sary Health Checkup Excluded Counsel, Lawyer Says

By Sok Khemara, VOA Khmer
Original report from Washington
16 November 2007

Following his detention this week, former Khmer Rouge foreign minister Ieng Sary was taken to the hospital for a checkup without his counsel present, lawyer Ang Udom said Wednesday.

This was "very surprising," he said, noting that standard practice should allow family members and counsel present for hospital visits.

"I dare not say it's legally wrong…but I personally wonder why I didn't I know," he said.

Ieng Sary, the former foreign minister of the Khmer Rouge, was taken for a medical checkup on Tuesday, following his arrest, along with wife Ieng Thirith, on Monday. He has been charged with crimes against humanity and war crimes, and the tribunal said Wednesday he would not be released ahead of his trial.

Ang Udom has said his health could deteriorate while he is in custody.

Medical checkups are viewed with some skepticism in Cambodia, following the death of Khmer Rouge commander Ta Mok in a Phnom Penh hospital last year.

Ang Udom said he was not given a clear answer from the tribunal on his exclusion from the checkup.