Khmer Rouge genocide trial opens in Cambodia

Sacramento Bee/AP ^ | Feb 17th, '09 | SOPHENG CHEANG and SUSAN POSTLEWAITE

[blueplum]

PHNOM PENH, Cambodia -- The boss of a prison where some 16,000 men, women and children were tortured and executed appeared before Cambodia's genocide tribunal Tuesday in its first trial over the Khmer Rouge reign of terror more than three decades ago.

[snip]Duch, 66, is accused of committing or abetting a range of crimes including murder, torture and rape at S-21 prison - formerly a school - where up to 16,000 men, women and children were held and tortured, before being put to death.

"This first hearing represents the realization of significant efforts to establish a fair and independent tribunal to try those in leadership positions and those most responsible for violations of Cambodian and international law," presiding judge Nil Nonn told the chamber.

But the tribunal has drawn sharp criticism.

Its snail-slow proceedings have been plagued by political interference from the Cambodian government, allegations of bias and corruption, lack of funding and bickering between Cambodian and international lawyers.

Some observers believe Prime Minister Hun Sen - a former Khmer Rouge officer himself - is controlling the tribunal's scope by directing the decisions of the Cambodian prosecutors and judges.

Duch has made no formal confession. However...

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detailed article at link.

[LiveFreeOrDie2001]

I know A LOT of Cambodians. Some were escapees, eating bugs to survive and running for their lives.

[freema]

For you, Ronnie...

NEVER FORGET

.

CLARITY =

..”JOURNEY From The FALL”.. Movie Premieres = Fall of Saigon CLARITY

http://www.Freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1806248/posts

.

The once so sadly Slave Labor Camp-imprisoned Vietnamese Americans from long ago, now living in a Free America, know first hand that if FREEDOM were to fall here...

...there would be nowhere else for them to run to this time around.

And neither would WE..!!!

.

NEVER FORGET