Two Khmer Rouge leaders found guilty of crimes against humanity
- 10 years ago
Two surviving members of Cambodia's Khmer Rouge regime have been sentenced to life in jail.
A United Nations tribunal found 88 year old Nuon Chea and 83 year old former President Khieu Samphan guilty of crimes against humanity for their role in the killing fields revolution in the 1970's.
Around 2 million people are believed to have died under the regime- led by Pol Pot- from 1975-1979.
The regime wanted to turn Cambodia back to "year zero" in its quest for a peasant utopia.
Survivors attending the hearing said they were pleased with the verdict and sentencing.
I thank the court, this man said. I'm very satisfied with the decision.
The two men will remain in court to face separate charges of genocide in a second phase of the trial that started last week.
A United Nations tribunal found 88 year old Nuon Chea and 83 year old former President Khieu Samphan guilty of crimes against humanity for their role in the killing fields revolution in the 1970's.
Around 2 million people are believed to have died under the regime- led by Pol Pot- from 1975-1979.
The regime wanted to turn Cambodia back to "year zero" in its quest for a peasant utopia.
Survivors attending the hearing said they were pleased with the verdict and sentencing.
I thank the court, this man said. I'm very satisfied with the decision.
The two men will remain in court to face separate charges of genocide in a second phase of the trial that started last week.