Khmer Rouge leaders' trial ends

The UN-backed tribunal for crimes against humanity committed during the reign of the late Khmer Rouge (ECCC) has concluded its first hearing for four defendants: Nuon Chea, former President of the National Assembly; Khieu Samphan, former President of the country; Ieng Sary, former Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister; and Ieng Thirith, former Minister of Social Affairs and Health.

At the press conference on the afternoon of June 30, co-judge Chea Leng said the hearing was successful, everything went smoothly, the judges and the defendants' lawyers argued frankly within the framework of the law, and order and security of the court were guaranteed.

According to Ms. Chea Leng, the defendants have shown cooperation, especially defendant Khieu Samphan who publicly declared that as long as his health allows, he will cooperate well with the court to clarify all issues of himself as well as of the Khmer Rouge regime.

He said that this is a historic moment and from the bottom of his heart he sincerely wants to clarify all the truth so that the Cambodian people and the world can correctly perceive the history of Cambodia under the Democratic Kampuchea regime.

However, the defendant said that he alone could not know all the truths that happened under the Democratic Kampuchea regime and that according to the regime's leadership principles he could not really be a Head of State.

Meanwhile, defendant Nuon Chea said he was dissatisfied with many of the trial's procedures, especially the witnesses and investigations, but also said he would cooperate with the court.

Ms. Chea Leng said that the next hearing will most likely take place in August or September 2011 and the number of witnesses may be reduced from thousands to about 300 for reasons of order and security of the trial.

According to Vietnam+