Ex-Khmer Rouge minister loses appeal

[rpannier]

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

In their ruling, judges of the U.N.-assisted tribunal's pretrial chamber upheld the current 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" for Ieng Thirith, said Prak Kimsan, the chairman of the five-judge panel, adding that her appeal was dismissed. He said investigating judges properly exercised their discretion in ordering Ieng Thirith detained in November.

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Ieng Thirith is the wife of Ieng Sary, the Khmer Rouge foreign minister who is also being detained on charges of crimes against humanity and war crimes. They are among the five suspects facing trial for their alleged involvement in atrocities during the Khmer Rouge rule.

link:
http://edition.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/asiapcf/07/08/khmer.rouge.ap/index.html