Ta Mok Already Gave Partial Confession: Official
By Yun Samean and John Maloy
THE CAMBODIA DAILY
A senior Military Court official has downplayed the gravity of Ta Mok potentially dying before he can be called by the Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia, saying the former Khmer Rouge commander has already provided evidence that can be used during the tribunal.
Military Court Deputy Director Pok Pon said Monday that the ailing Ta Mok told half of his story to Military Court interrogators following his arrest in 1999, and that if he dies before he can attend court, this will be available as possible evidence against other top Khmer Rouge officials.
"We have his confession document, his lawyer also recognized the confession," said Pok Pon, who transcribed the confession. "If Ta Mok dies, the Khmer Rouge tribunal can still use the documents. We have collected 50 percent of his confession," he said.
Ta Mok is thought to be a likely candidate for prosecution as well as a key witness in the tribunal. He is currently being treated at Preah Ket Mealea military hospital for a host of ailments, and his lawyer Benson Samay announced Thursday that he could be about to die.
Though he transcribed the confession, Pok Pon said that he did not remember its contents. He also said that the military court is still holding unidentified witnesses tied to Ta Mok, including his former clerk.
Tribunal spokesman Reach Sambath said the information from the Military Court would be useful during the tribunal, but he noted that Ta Mok is not the only source of information pertaining to the regime.
"There are many senior Khmer Rouge [officials] who are still alive," he said.
Documentation Center of Cambodia Director Youk Chhang said he was unaware of any previous attempts to question Ta Mok.
He declined to comment on how great a loss to the tribunal it would be if Ta Mok died before being indicted, but added that Ta Mok was in a singular position among possible defendants or witnesses.
"He was commander-in-chief [of the military], the one and only," he said.
Military Court Deputy Director Pok Pon said Monday that the ailing Ta Mok told half of his story to Military Court interrogators following his arrest in 1999, and that if he dies before he can attend court, this will be available as possible evidence against other top Khmer Rouge officials.
"We have his confession document, his lawyer also recognized the confession," said Pok Pon, who transcribed the confession. "If Ta Mok dies, the Khmer Rouge tribunal can still use the documents. We have collected 50 percent of his confession," he said.
Ta Mok is thought to be a likely candidate for prosecution as well as a key witness in the tribunal. He is currently being treated at Preah Ket Mealea military hospital for a host of ailments, and his lawyer Benson Samay announced Thursday that he could be about to die.
Though he transcribed the confession, Pok Pon said that he did not remember its contents. He also said that the military court is still holding unidentified witnesses tied to Ta Mok, including his former clerk.
Tribunal spokesman Reach Sambath said the information from the Military Court would be useful during the tribunal, but he noted that Ta Mok is not the only source of information pertaining to the regime.
"There are many senior Khmer Rouge [officials] who are still alive," he said.
Documentation Center of Cambodia Director Youk Chhang said he was unaware of any previous attempts to question Ta Mok.
He declined to comment on how great a loss to the tribunal it would be if Ta Mok died before being indicted, but added that Ta Mok was in a singular position among possible defendants or witnesses.
"He was commander-in-chief [of the military], the one and only," he said.
1 comment:
Millitary prison . . Interrogate . . confession . . Does it sounds like COERCION?
Was Ta Mok under DURESS FOR CONFESSION?
Did Ta Mok well presented by His counselor or was his counselor one of them?
Why all of sudden, Ta Mok got severely ill? What kind of punishment did he received to CONFESSION ALL THOSE 50% evidence?
Law/legal rules and procedures - Those CONFESSION should NOT be admitted AS EVIDENCE IN COURT.
My point is "use small bait to catch big fish". If we can't do that than why bother, "a show?".
Folks, we must find out who was really behind that mastermind killing machine!
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