The Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia (ECCC) resumed a trial against two former leaders of the genocidal Khmer Rouge regime, Nuon Chea and Khieu Samphan, on January 8.
The trial recommenced after having been adjourned in November 2014 due to one of the defendant’s lawyers boycotted the initial hearings.
According to the president of the Siem Reap Court , Judge Nin Nonn, all parties are now present. Khieu Samphan, 84, appeared in the courtroom during the hearing while Nuon Chea, 89, watched the proceedings via video link from his holding cell as a result of his poor health.
Both defendants are facing charges of genocide.
In early August of last year, the two ex-leaders were given life sentences for crimes against humanity. The verdict of which is now being appealed, after a two-year trial of the two former leaders began in November 2011 and ended in October 2013.
The second hearings against Nuon Chea and Khieu Samphan, slated for November last year, were postponed after Kieu Samphan’s lawyers boycotted the trial.
The United Nations-backed ECCC was established in 2006 with the intent to seek and deliver justice for victims of the genocidal Khmer Rouge regime.
In 2010, the tribunal sentenced the ex-chief of Tuol Sleng prison Kaing Guek Eav, or Duch, to life in prison for war crimes and crimes against humanity.-VNA
The trial recommenced after having been adjourned in November 2014 due to one of the defendant’s lawyers boycotted the initial hearings.
According to the president of the Siem Reap Court , Judge Nin Nonn, all parties are now present. Khieu Samphan, 84, appeared in the courtroom during the hearing while Nuon Chea, 89, watched the proceedings via video link from his holding cell as a result of his poor health.
Both defendants are facing charges of genocide.
In early August of last year, the two ex-leaders were given life sentences for crimes against humanity. The verdict of which is now being appealed, after a two-year trial of the two former leaders began in November 2011 and ended in October 2013.
The second hearings against Nuon Chea and Khieu Samphan, slated for November last year, were postponed after Kieu Samphan’s lawyers boycotted the trial.
The United Nations-backed ECCC was established in 2006 with the intent to seek and deliver justice for victims of the genocidal Khmer Rouge regime.
In 2010, the tribunal sentenced the ex-chief of Tuol Sleng prison Kaing Guek Eav, or Duch, to life in prison for war crimes and crimes against humanity.-VNA
