Phnom Penh (dpa) -- Members of the Cambodian government should be called to testify in the case against two leaders of the former Khmer Rouge regime, the defence argued Wednesday.
A lawyer for Nuon Chea said those who were also former Khmer Rouge members would be able to provide "important testimony."
"Everyone is equal before the law," Soun Visal told the court.
If granted, the motion could call into question whether the government would continue to cooperate with the special UN-backed tribunal. It also raises uncomfortable questions about the role of current officials during the brutal regime.
The lawyer specifically named National Assembly president Heng Samrin, Senate president Chea Sim and senator Ouk Bunchoeun.
Prime Minister Hun Sen, himself a former Khmer Rouge cadre, has repeatedly said the tribunal can only try senior leaders of the former regime.
That would rule out lower-ranking members who have since assumed positions in Hun Sen's government.
Wednesday's hearing marked the start of the second phase of the trial for Nuon Chea, 87, known as Pol Pot's Brother Number 2, and Khieu Samphan, 83, the former head of state.
A verdict in the first phase - relating primarily to the forced mass evacuation of Phnom Penh in 1975 - is due on August 7.
The tribunal was set up in 2006 to try the worst crimes that occurred under Pol Pot's ultra-Marxist regime 1975-79.
Kaing Guek Eav, alias Duch - the former prison chief of Khmer Rouge torture center S-21 - is the only person convicted thus far. He received a life sentence in 2011. - See more at: http://thecambodiaherald.com/cambodia/detail/1?page=11&token=MzdkZjliM2ZmMjM#sthash.OiRnIURv.dpuf
1 comment:
You can't find the truth in this farce tribunal , because Khmer communist they not dump like the UN . They smart to manipulate the court by put their communist affiliate judge to lead the investigation . every evident or fact that show or touch their associates they object or dismiss right away . that is the reason the court spend billion of dollars , but still can't get resolve of crime that people know all over that they commit brutal, vicious, barbaric , inhumane act again their own blood people but can't convicted . It a real shame to the UN organization and the hold world . Stop waste money , time , and effort if you can't control a few bastard judge that belong to the killer regime .
Post a Comment