Earth Times
Phnom Penh - The chief international prosecutor at Cambodia's UN-backed Khmer Rouge tribunal announced his resignation Tuesday, saying "personal and family reasons" were behind his decision. Robert Petit (pictured), a Canadian national, said in a statement that he had notified UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and the tribunal's administration that he would quit his post on September 1.
"It has been the greatest privilege of my career to have the opportunity to bring some justice to the victims of the crimes of the Khmer Rouge," the statement said. "My staff and I have tried, within our jurisdiction, to contribute to that goal to the best of our abilities."
Petit has served almost three years at the tribunal, which was established in 2006 after a decade of negotiations between the Cambodian government and the UN.
Five former Khmer Rouge leaders are facing trial for their roles in the deaths of up to 2 million people through execution, starvation and overwork during the Maoist group's 1975-1979 rule.
The trial of former S-21 prison chief Kaing Guek Eav, known by his revolutionary alias Duch, began in Phnom Penh in February.
Duch has admitted guilt for crimes against humanity and premeditated murder, and if convicted, faces a maximum sentence of life in prison.
Along with national co-prosecutor Chea Leang, Petit led the prosecution team's case against Dutch during the initial stages of the trial, but has been absent from the daily hearings since a two-week recess in May.
In December, Petit made public a disagreement with his Cambodian counterpart over the extent of the tribunal's investigation, which he said should be extended to more former Khmer Rouge leaders.
Chea Leang argued the existing five investigations were sufficient, which prompted observers to suggest the ruling Cambodian People's Party (CPP) had instructed the domestic prosecution team to limit the investigation.
Several CPP leaders, including Prime Minister Hun Sen, are former Khmer Rouge members.
Lars Olsen, a spokesman for the UN side of the tribunal, said the office of the UN secretary-general and the tribunal's administration had begun the process of appointing a new chief international prosecutor.
Phnom Penh - The chief international prosecutor at Cambodia's UN-backed Khmer Rouge tribunal announced his resignation Tuesday, saying "personal and family reasons" were behind his decision. Robert Petit (pictured), a Canadian national, said in a statement that he had notified UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and the tribunal's administration that he would quit his post on September 1.
"It has been the greatest privilege of my career to have the opportunity to bring some justice to the victims of the crimes of the Khmer Rouge," the statement said. "My staff and I have tried, within our jurisdiction, to contribute to that goal to the best of our abilities."
Petit has served almost three years at the tribunal, which was established in 2006 after a decade of negotiations between the Cambodian government and the UN.
Five former Khmer Rouge leaders are facing trial for their roles in the deaths of up to 2 million people through execution, starvation and overwork during the Maoist group's 1975-1979 rule.
The trial of former S-21 prison chief Kaing Guek Eav, known by his revolutionary alias Duch, began in Phnom Penh in February.
Duch has admitted guilt for crimes against humanity and premeditated murder, and if convicted, faces a maximum sentence of life in prison.
Along with national co-prosecutor Chea Leang, Petit led the prosecution team's case against Dutch during the initial stages of the trial, but has been absent from the daily hearings since a two-week recess in May.
In December, Petit made public a disagreement with his Cambodian counterpart over the extent of the tribunal's investigation, which he said should be extended to more former Khmer Rouge leaders.
Chea Leang argued the existing five investigations were sufficient, which prompted observers to suggest the ruling Cambodian People's Party (CPP) had instructed the domestic prosecution team to limit the investigation.
Several CPP leaders, including Prime Minister Hun Sen, are former Khmer Rouge members.
Lars Olsen, a spokesman for the UN side of the tribunal, said the office of the UN secretary-general and the tribunal's administration had begun the process of appointing a new chief international prosecutor.
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