Cambodia tribunal charges 2 more Khmer Rouge suspects
A UN-backed Cambodian court has charged two more former cadres of the Khmer Rouge regime with crimes against humanity.
An investigating judge at the tribunal on Tuesday charged in absentia two former cadres, namely Meas Muth, a former navy commander, and Im Chaem, a female former district official.
The new charges may lead to a confrontation with the Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen, who has repeatedly called for an end to prosecuting further suspects in the case as they may ignite a new civil war in the country.
The two new suspects, both apparently in their 70s, have been under investigation for some time. The judge Mark Harmon has named the two suspects despite clear objection to the decision by a Cambodian judge in the court.
The court said in a statement that Meas Muth face extra charges including homicide and war crimes.
“Decisions on whether these cases will end up with indictments or dismissals are expected next year,” said court spokesman Lars Olsen.
Some in Cambodia are at unease over probes into the 1970s regime that allegedly killed around two million people. Critics accuse Sen of trying to cancel the trial of low-ranking Khmer cadres. Sen has repeatedly promised that the ongoing cases against former senior regime leaders would be the last.
Some 1.7 million people are reportedly estimated to have lost their lives because of starvation, disease and execution due to the extremist policies of the Khmer Rouge in 1975-79.
The number of judges in the tribunal is higher than the international ones. Therefore, the possibility exists for them to turn down the decision in later stages of the judicial process.
The UN-backed tribunal, which was formed in 2006, has so far convicted three people, including two most senior surviving leaders who were sentenced to life in prison last year.
MS/MKA/SS
Philippines, US kick off drills in disputed waters of South China Sea
US House rubberstamps $95 billion ‘aid’ for Israel, Ukraine, Chinese Taipei
Yemenis, Jordanians reiterate support for Palestinians in Gaza
VIDEO | Iranian Zionist Assets in London
FIFA, AFC congratulate Iran on Asian futsal championship
Rights group slams Israel attempts to block ICC arrest warrants
Ukraine’s Zelensky pleas for Patriot missiles, NATO membership
Uma Oya: Iran’s engineering milestone for internationality
VIDEO | Protesters burn photos of G7 leaders ahead of energy meeting in Italy
Iran guarantor of Persian Gulf security, peace as foreigners wreaking stability: IRGC
14 Israeli troopers killed, wounded in resistance operation in central Gaza
This makes it easy to access the Press TV website
