Public indictments handed to former KR

The Khmer Rouge tribunal has made public the indictments of four Khmer Rouge figures expected to be tried next year, revealing concrete accusations about the role the defendants allegedly played in the deaths of perhaps 2.2 million Cambodians.

The indictments, contained in a single, 739-page document known as the closing order, are the product of a more than three-year investigation that concluded earlier this month. As a result of their investigation, the court’s co-investigating judges brought charges including genocide and crimes against humanity against former Khmer Rouge foreign minister Ieng Sary, social action minister Ieng Thirith, head of state Khieu Samphan and Brother No 2 Nuon Chea.

Under court rules, hearings before the Trial Chamber are limited to facts set out in the indictments. “The facts spelled out in the closing order will basically be the foundation for the trial hearings,” United Nations court spokesman Lars Olsen said.

Sourced=phnompenhpost