Monday, 21 November 2011
By Serath
PHNOM PENH, Nov 21 - The Khmer Rouge tribunal announced Monday that former head of state Khieu Samphan (pictured) had changed his Cambodian defense lawyer.
"Dr Sa Sovan, the Cambodian co-lawyer for Khieu Samphan, has withdrawn from his position with agreement from his client. The Defence Support Section wishes to thank Dr Sa for his contribution to Mr Khieu Samphan’s defense," said a statement from the Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia (ECCC).
The statement said Sa Sovan had been replaced by Kong Sam Onn, described as "an experienced human rights lawyer who has represented individuals in many high-profile criminal cases in Cambodia.
"He is a lecturer of law at Paññasastra University of Cambodia and a Ph.D candidate at Nagoya University, Japan. He holds a master’s degree in law from the University of Hong Kong. He was formerly a senior manager at the Cambodian Defenders Project."
Khieu Samphan continues to be represented by his international co-lawyer Jacques Vergès, alongside Kong Sam Onn as his newly-appointed national co-lawyer, the statement said.
The ECCC statement coincided with the opening of the trial of Khieu Samphan and two other former Khmer Rouge leaders, former chief ideologue Nuon Chea, who was Pol Pot's deputy, and former foreign minister Ieng Sary. The ECCC ruled last week that a fourth leader, former social action minister Ieng Thirit, who is Ieng sary's wife, was unfit to stand trial.
By Serath
PHNOM PENH, Nov 21 - The Khmer Rouge tribunal announced Monday that former head of state Khieu Samphan (pictured) had changed his Cambodian defense lawyer.
"Dr Sa Sovan, the Cambodian co-lawyer for Khieu Samphan, has withdrawn from his position with agreement from his client. The Defence Support Section wishes to thank Dr Sa for his contribution to Mr Khieu Samphan’s defense," said a statement from the Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia (ECCC).
The statement said Sa Sovan had been replaced by Kong Sam Onn, described as "an experienced human rights lawyer who has represented individuals in many high-profile criminal cases in Cambodia.
"He is a lecturer of law at Paññasastra University of Cambodia and a Ph.D candidate at Nagoya University, Japan. He holds a master’s degree in law from the University of Hong Kong. He was formerly a senior manager at the Cambodian Defenders Project."
Khieu Samphan continues to be represented by his international co-lawyer Jacques Vergès, alongside Kong Sam Onn as his newly-appointed national co-lawyer, the statement said.
The ECCC statement coincided with the opening of the trial of Khieu Samphan and two other former Khmer Rouge leaders, former chief ideologue Nuon Chea, who was Pol Pot's deputy, and former foreign minister Ieng Sary. The ECCC ruled last week that a fourth leader, former social action minister Ieng Thirit, who is Ieng sary's wife, was unfit to stand trial.
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