Khmer Rouge Prison Chief Duch Back in Cambodian Court

Dozens of people turned up at the joint U.N.-Cambodian court in Phnom Penh on Monday.

New Tang Dynasty Television
28th March, 2011

Former Khmer Rouge prison Chief Kaing Guek Eav, better known as Duch, is in court for the start of a hearing into appeals over his jail sentence.

Sixty-seven year-old Duch was sentenced to 35 years in prison in July 2010 for overseeing 14,000 deaths in Cambodia during the reign of the Khmer Rouge regime.

Duch's lawyers have appealed the court's verdict and are seeking his release in consideration of his confession and cooperation.

But co-prosecutors say Duch's jail term is too lenient and are appealing for a heavier sentence.

Some survivors and relatives of victims are also hoping for a heavier punishment.

[Rob Hamill, Brother of Victim]:
"My expectation, my hope, is that the trial chamber throws out the appeal from the defense and that they seriously consider the prosecution appeal to increase his term in prison."

Duch is the first member of Cambodia's Khmer Rouge regime to face trial.

According to a tribunal spokesperson, a ruling is expected by the end of June.