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Khmer Rouge Duch trial nears end Khmer Rouge Duch trial nears end
(about 4 hours later)
The first trial at Cambodia's Khmer Rouge tribunal is entering its final week, with lawyers due to give closing arguments after months of testimony. The first trial at Cambodia's Khmer Rouge tribunal is entering its final week, with lawyers giving closing arguments after months of testimony.
Kaing Guek Euv, better known as Comrade Duch, ran a prison where thousands of people were tortured and murdered in the late 1970s.Kaing Guek Euv, better known as Comrade Duch, ran a prison where thousands of people were tortured and murdered in the late 1970s.
He is accused of crimes against humanity and faces a lifetime prison sentence if convicted.He is accused of crimes against humanity and faces a lifetime prison sentence if convicted.
But the defence is likely to repeat its argument that he was following orders.But the defence is likely to repeat its argument that he was following orders.
The week is the final chance for the prosecution and defence to have their say before the judges retire to consider their verdict.The week is the final chance for the prosecution and defence to have their say before the judges retire to consider their verdict.
Time has also been set aside for the civil party lawyers representing dozens of people who lived through the Khmer Rouge era.Time has also been set aside for the civil party lawyers representing dozens of people who lived through the Khmer Rouge era.
They include the only three confirmed survivors of Comrade Duch's notorious S-21 prison.They include the only three confirmed survivors of Comrade Duch's notorious S-21 prison.
At least 14,000 inmates passed through the gates of that facility. Most of them were tortured.At least 14,000 inmates passed through the gates of that facility. Most of them were tortured.
If they survived that ordeal they were bludgeoned to death at the so-called killing fields just outside Phnom Penh.If they survived that ordeal they were bludgeoned to death at the so-called killing fields just outside Phnom Penh.
'Small cog''Small cog'
Comrade Duch has admitted that he was in charge of S-21 and apologised in court for his part in the atrocities committed there.Comrade Duch has admitted that he was in charge of S-21 and apologised in court for his part in the atrocities committed there.
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 Symbol of Khmer Rouge terror Key Khmer Rouge figuresWHO 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 Symbol of Khmer Rouge terror Key Khmer Rouge figures
The co-prosecutor Bill Smith said he believes the trial may have helped Cambodians come to terms with their horrific recent history.The co-prosecutor Bill Smith said he believes the trial may have helped Cambodians come to terms with their horrific recent history.
"I think the trial has been very, very successful," he told the BBC."I think the trial has been very, very successful," he told the BBC.
"The fact that the court has allowed the victims to participate through their civil party lawyers has been a real major success connecting what's happening in that courtroom back to the people who experienced the tragedy of S-21.""The fact that the court has allowed the victims to participate through their civil party lawyers has been a real major success connecting what's happening in that courtroom back to the people who experienced the tragedy of S-21."
The prosecution wants Duch to serve the maximum sentence: life imprisonment.The prosecution wants Duch to serve the maximum sentence: life imprisonment.
But the defence is likely to reiterate its argument that its client was just a small cog in the Khmer Rouge machine, and that Duch and his family would have been killed if he had not followed orders.But the defence is likely to reiterate its argument that its client was just a small cog in the Khmer Rouge machine, and that Duch and his family would have been killed if he had not followed orders.