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Khmer Rouge court vows 'justice' Khmer Rouge leader regrets crimes
(about 1 hour later)
Prosecutors have vowed to get justice for the many victims of Cambodia's Khmer Rouge, as they opened their case against one of the regime's leaders. A key Khmer Rouge leader has admitted responsibility for crimes committed during the regime's brutal rule.
In the second day of the trial against former prison chief Comrade Duch, co-prosecutor Chea Leang said: "Justice will be done. History demands it." Speaking at a UN-backed tribunal in Cambodia, Kaing Guek Eav - also known as Duch - expressed "regretfulness and heartfelt sorrow" for his actions.
Duch is accused of crimes against humanity and premeditated murder in the deaths of more than 10,000 people. Duch is accused of torture, crimes against humanity and premeditated murder for his alleged role in the deaths of more than 10,000 people.
The Khmer Rouge killed up to two million people in less than four years.The Khmer Rouge killed up to two million people in less than four years.
"For 30 years, one-and-a-half million victims of the Khmer Rouge have been demanding justice for their suffering," Chea Leang said. "May I be permitted to apologise to the survivors of the regime, and also the loved ones of those who died brutally during the regime," Duch told the court.
"I ask not that you forgive me now, but hope you will later."
'Vital role''Vital role'
Duch, whose really name is Kaing Guek Eav, is the first Khmer Rouge leader to face the tribunal - with four more of the regime's senior figures in custody and awaiting trial. Prosecutors opened their case against Duch on Tuesday, and vowed to get justice for his many victims.
"For 30 years, one-and-a-half million victims of the Khmer Rouge have been demanding justice for their suffering," said co-prosecutor Chea Leang.
"Justice will be done. History demands it."
Duch is the first Khmer Rouge leader to face the tribunal - with four more of the regime's senior figures in custody and awaiting trial.
He ran the Tuol Sleng prison, which, the co-prosecutor said, "formed an integral and indeed vital role in a widespread attack on the population of Cambodia".He ran the Tuol Sleng prison, which, the co-prosecutor said, "formed an integral and indeed vital role in a widespread attack on the population of Cambodia".
Duch is the only defendant who has admitted his part in the atrocities and asked for forgiveness from his victims. Duch is the only defendant who has admitted his part in the atrocities and expressed remorse.
He cuts an unassuming figure these days, according to the BBC correspondent at the tribunal, Guy De Launey.He cuts an unassuming figure these days, according to the BBC correspondent at the tribunal, Guy De Launey.
WHO WERE THE KHMER ROUGE? Maoist regime that ruled Cambodia from 1975-1979Founded and led by Pol Pot, who died in 1998 Abolished religion, schools and currency in a bid to create agrarian utopiaUp to two million people thought to have died from starvation, overwork or execution KR figures facing trial Duch: Symbol of horror Pursuing the Khmer Rouge WHO WERE THE KHMER ROUGE? Maoist regime that ruled Cambodia from 1975-1979Founded and led by Pol Pot, who died in 1998 Abolished religion, schools and currency in a bid to create agrarian utopiaUp to two million people thought to have died from starvation, overwork or execution KR figures facing trial Duch: Symbol of horror Pursuing the Khmer Rouge
Now a slight grey-haired 66-year-old, the former prison warder has been polite and studious in taking notes in court. Now a slight, grey-haired 66-year-old, the former prison warder has been polite and studious in taking notes in court.
But the charges against him are grave, and when the prosecutors read out the long indictment against him on Monday, it was full of gruesome details.But the charges against him are grave, and when the prosecutors read out the long indictment against him on Monday, it was full of gruesome details.
It described medieval methods of torture and execution allegedly carried out by Duch when he was in charge of the notorious Tuol Sleng prison.It described medieval methods of torture and execution allegedly carried out by Duch when he was in charge of the notorious Tuol Sleng prison.
"Several witnesses said that prisoners were killed using steel clubs, cart axles, and water pipes to hit the base of their necks," the indictment said."Several witnesses said that prisoners were killed using steel clubs, cart axles, and water pipes to hit the base of their necks," the indictment said.
"Prisoners were then kicked into the pits, where their handcuffs were removed. Finally the guards either cut open their bellies or their throats," it said.
Duch's job was to extract confessions from prisoners of counter-revolutionary activity, but "every prisoner who arrived at S-21 [Tuol Sleng] was destined for execution", the document said.Duch's job was to extract confessions from prisoners of counter-revolutionary activity, but "every prisoner who arrived at S-21 [Tuol Sleng] was destined for execution", the document said.
Duch has previously told investigators he had not wanted to take charge of the prison, but feared for his own life if he did not follow orders.Duch has previously told investigators he had not wanted to take charge of the prison, but feared for his own life if he did not follow orders.
He said he knew that inmates were being tortured but did not participate himself.He said he knew that inmates were being tortured but did not participate himself.
Duch's French lawyer, Francois Roux, said last month that his client wished to ask forgiveness.
"He will do so publicly. This is the very least he owes the victims," Mr Roux said.
The Khmer Rouge took over Cambodia in 1975, ousting a US-backed government shortly after the US pulled out of neighbouring Vietnam.The Khmer Rouge took over Cambodia in 1975, ousting a US-backed government shortly after the US pulled out of neighbouring Vietnam.
Driven on by Maoist principles, they attempted to create a peasant society by systematically emptying the cities and forcing the population to work in the fields.Driven on by Maoist principles, they attempted to create a peasant society by systematically emptying the cities and forcing the population to work in the fields.
By the time the Vietnamese army invaded and overthrew the Khmer Rouge in 1979, the regime had executed or starved and overworked to death up to two million Cambodians. By the time the Vietnamese army invaded and overthrew the Khmer Rouge in 1979, the regime had executed, starved or overworked to death up to two million Cambodians.