Ex-Khmer Rouge Official Loses Appeal

[Coventina]

Source: Associated Press

PHNOM PENH, Cambodia (AP) — A former minister of the Khmer Rouge regime lost her appeal Wednesday for release from pretrial detention by Cambodia's genocide tribunal where she is being held on charges of crimes against humanity.

In their unanimous ruling, judges of the U.N.-assisted tribunal's pretrial chamber upheld the detention of 76-year-old Ieng Thirith, who served as the social affairs minister during the rule of the Khmer Rouge in the 1970s.

The "detention remains a necessary measure," said Prak Kimsan, the chairman of the five-judge panel, detailing the dismissal of her appeal. He said investigating judges properly exercised their discretion in ordering Ieng Thirith detained in November.

(snip)

The detention is to prevent Ieng Thirith from influencing potential witnesses and victims or trying to escape, he said.



Read more: http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5hEKp0XY_sPnBc_kOhL9FxJXRC4TwD91Q6PL80

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This is not the same person I reported on a few days ago (obviously, as the gender is different!).

I hope every one of these thugs live to stand trial...

[Turbineguy]

1. "social affairs minister"

Even mass murderers can have a sense of humor.

[David__77]

2. You mean like "Department of Health and Human Services?"

I like to take a look in the mirror before looking elsewhere.

[Turbineguy]

3. Yes,

that would be another one.

[DrCory]

6. It Must Be Tiresome...

Constantly feeling compelled to "run interference" for the likes of the Khmer Rouge.

[David__77]

7. You're way off.

The US wholly supported the forces of "Democratic Kampuchea" once it fit in with its geopolitical plans. Before that, the US dropped many thousands of tons of bombs on the people of Cambodia. Kissenger bears as much blame as Pol Pot, let alone a second string character like Ieng Thirith.

[DrCory]

8. Uh Huh...

I'm aware of that, but that doesn't absolve the KR of primary culpability.

[David__77]

9. I don't disagree.

I do, however, believe that the Cambodian question, including the DK specifically, must be addressed only by looking at all the relevant players. The US, Vietnam, former Soviet Union, and others have blood on their hands as well. I am not meaning to say that the criminal acts perpetrated by DK figures should not be prosecuted.

[bean fidhleir]

4. One wonders why it took so long.

The Khmer Rouge committed their atrocities during Carter's time.

[Coventina]

5. Unfortunately, since the United States supported Pol Pot

there has been a lot of foot-dragging on getting these guys prosecuted.

The United States has not exactly been excited by the possibility of having prominent figures called to be witnesses for the defense.