Khmer Rouge trial continues
- 12 years ago
EDIT CONTAINS 4:3 MATERIAL
Former members of Cambodia's Khmer Rouge continued with testimonies Wednesday during a UN backed special tribunal in Phnom Penh.
The men are being tried for crimes against humanity that led to the deaths of 1.7 million people between 1975-1979.
Former Head of State during the regime , Khieu Samphan (KEE yo - sahm-PAHN), denied knowledge of and responsibility for the executions, torture and forced migrations saying prosecutors are manipulating public opinion.
(SOUNDBITE) (Khmer) HEAD OF STATE DURING THE KHMER ROUGE REGIME, KHIEU SAMPHAN, SAYING:
"When I listen to you manipulate the story to make the people believe that it is true, I feel that you really want my head on the block."
(cover broll)
(SOUNDBITE) (Khmer) HEAD OF STATE DURING THE KHMER ROUGE REGIME, KHIEU SAMPHAN, SAYING:
"You would have the public believe that I was a rotten fish lumped with everyone in the same basket. That is a lie."
After listening to the testimonies, survivors and family members who lost loved ones were disheartened.
(SOUNDBITE) (Khmer) SURVIVOR WHO LOST THREE BROTHERS DURING KHMER ROUGE REGIME, KHEM SIEK, SAYING:
"The accused are highly educated people. They committed the crimes and they do not accept it. This made me feel so sad."
Last year, another former Khmer Rouge member known as Duch (doik) was handed a 35 year prison sentence that was reduced to 19 years.
He is appealing the decision in February.
Julie Noce, Reuters
Former members of Cambodia's Khmer Rouge continued with testimonies Wednesday during a UN backed special tribunal in Phnom Penh.
The men are being tried for crimes against humanity that led to the deaths of 1.7 million people between 1975-1979.
Former Head of State during the regime , Khieu Samphan (KEE yo - sahm-PAHN), denied knowledge of and responsibility for the executions, torture and forced migrations saying prosecutors are manipulating public opinion.
(SOUNDBITE) (Khmer) HEAD OF STATE DURING THE KHMER ROUGE REGIME, KHIEU SAMPHAN, SAYING:
"When I listen to you manipulate the story to make the people believe that it is true, I feel that you really want my head on the block."
(cover broll)
(SOUNDBITE) (Khmer) HEAD OF STATE DURING THE KHMER ROUGE REGIME, KHIEU SAMPHAN, SAYING:
"You would have the public believe that I was a rotten fish lumped with everyone in the same basket. That is a lie."
After listening to the testimonies, survivors and family members who lost loved ones were disheartened.
(SOUNDBITE) (Khmer) SURVIVOR WHO LOST THREE BROTHERS DURING KHMER ROUGE REGIME, KHEM SIEK, SAYING:
"The accused are highly educated people. They committed the crimes and they do not accept it. This made me feel so sad."
Last year, another former Khmer Rouge member known as Duch (doik) was handed a 35 year prison sentence that was reduced to 19 years.
He is appealing the decision in February.
Julie Noce, Reuters