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| In this handout released by Extraordinary Chamber in the Courts of Cambodia (ECCC), Kaing Guek Eav, also known as 'Duch,' stands in the courtroom on February 3, 2012 in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. Eav who appealed his 35 year sentence handed down by the UN-backed Khmer Rouge trial had his appeal rejected and his sentence increased to life imprisonment. (Photo by Extraordinary Chamber in the Courts of Cambodia via Getty Images) |
By Greg Mellen Staff Writer
Long Beach Press Telegram (California, USA)
The former head of a notorious Khmer Rouge detention and interrogation center in Cambodia will now spend life in prison after a war crimes tribunal appeals court in Phnom Penh extended an earlier sentence to the maximum allowed under Cambodian law.
Though delayed by more than a year, it is a decision that should bring some sense of solace and justice to Cambodian refugees in Long Beach.
When Kaing Guek Eav, better known as Duch, was first sentenced to as little as 19 years in prison after his 2010 conviction, many Cambodian elders were outraged.
Under the supervision of Duch, now 69, an estimated 14,000 were detained, tortured and executed at the detention center known as Tuol Sleng.
During the 1975-1979 reign of the Khmer Rouge, upwards of 2 million Cambodians died of execution, starvation, disease and deprivation.
Sarah Pol-Lim, director of Long Beach's United Cambodian Community, shared the same reaction to the verdict as several elders in her group after the first sentence.
"(The elders) feel 35 years is not good enough, and I can't blame them," Pol-Lim said. "I just want an apology. Thirty- five years can't bring my father and three brothers back."
After the initial trial and sentencing, both sides appealed and the earlier conviction was upheld and the existing prison term extended. It's the maximum sentence that can be handed out under Cambodian law.
The prosecution had argued in its appeal that the earlier judgment gave insufficient weight to the gravity of Duch's crimes and his role and his willing participation in those crimes, according to Newsroom America. The court dismissed Duch's own appeal in which he argued that the Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia had no jurisdiction over him.
Although it has been more than 30 years since the Khmer Rouge were driven from power, Duch was the first member of the regime to be convicted. The verdict was handed down almost eight months after closing arguments and a 72-day trial.
Four higher ranking members of the Khmer Rouge, Nuon Chea, Khieu Samphan, Ieng Sary and Ieng Thirith are now standing trial.
greg.mellen@presstelegram.com, 562-714-2093, twitter.com/gregmellenpt
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