Cambodia's KRouge trial to test court's credibility: HRW

A Cambodian buddhist monk looks at portraits of Khmer Rouge victims at Tuol Sleng genocide museum in Phnom Penh

PHNOM PENH (AFP) — Cambodia's UN-backed genocide tribunal must resolve claims of political interference if it is to meet international standards when its first trial starts this week, a rights group said Sunday.

The court will on Tuesday formally open the long-awaited trial of the Khmer Rouge regime's former prison chief, Kaing Guek Eav, better known as Duch, who is the first of five leaders detained by the tribunal.

But the run-up to the trial has been marred by claims that the government is interfering to stop the prosecution of further suspects, as well as allegations that Cambodian court staff paid kickbacks for their jobs.

"Any hint of political manipulation at the tribunal will undermine its credibility with the Cambodian people," said Sara Colm, Cambodia-based senior researcher at Human Rights Watch.

"Until allegations of corruption and improper interference by the government are investigated and resolved, the tribunal?s integrity as a legitimate and independent court will remain in question."

Duch, 66, faces charges of crimes against humanity, war crimes, torture and pre-meditated murder for his role in running S-21, the Khmer Rouge's notorious main prison, during the 1975-1979 regime.

The other Khmer Rouge members awaiting trial are "Brother Number Two" Nuon Chea, former head of state Khieu Samphan, ex-foreign minister Ieng Sary and his wife Ieng Thirith, who was the minister of social affairs.

But rows between international and Cambodian co-prosecutors over international prosecutors' wishes to bring more suspects to trial have dogged the tribunal.

The Cambodian government has been accused of trying to scupper further trials amid fears that it could target former Khmer Rouge members currently in top posts in Prime Minister Hun Sen's administration.

"By allowing political considerations to block additional indictments, the Khmer Rouge tribunal is failing the most basic test of its independence and its credibility," said Colm of the New York-based rights group.

Colm urged stakeholders in the tribunal, including the government and the international community, "to ensure that the court is able to act independently and free of political interference or consideration."