Cambodia: release of Khmer Rouge “first lady”

The Cambodian War Crimes Tribunal (ECCC) has just issued a verdict to release Ms. Ieng Thirith - who was known as the "first lady" under Pol Pot.

Reason for release: This defendant is unfit to stand trial.

Ieng Thirith was released due to poor health - Photo: AFP

In a statement released on September 13, the UN-sponsored ECCC said that Ieng Thirith suffered from an Alzheimer's-like illness that had reduced the 80-year-old former Khmer Rouge leader's mental capacity.

As the defendant is unlikely to appear in court in the near future, the court has decided to suspend the charges against Ieng Thirith. The court spokesman added that Ieng Thirith will be released within the next 24 hours if the prosecutor has no objections.

Ieng Thirith, the sister-in-law of leader Pol Pot, was the Khmer Rouge’s social affairs minister. She was charged with “participation in planning, directing, coordinating and directly ordering mass purges,” crimes against humanity, genocide, murder, torture and religious persecution.

Three other senior leaders of the genocidal regime, including Ieng Thirith's husband and former foreign minister Ieng Sary, are due to appear in court in the coming days.

According to Tuoi Tre - DT