VOA Khmer Masthead

Text Only Version
Search

 
Duch's Week at Tribunal Stirs Anger


29 February 2008
Chun Sakada reports in Khmer (1.11 MB) - Download (MP3) audio clip
Chun Sakada reports in Khmer (1.11 MB) - Listen (MP3) audio clip

When some residents of Phnom Penh heard Duch was to be taken to Tuol Sleng and Choeung Ek, on radio and on television, it stirred in them old anger.

They said Friday they want Duch tried, along with four other jailed Khmer Rouge leaders, as soon as possible.

"We don't want to take revenge against Duch and the other Khmer Rouge leaders, but I support the punishment of the Khmer Rogue leaders, and want them to know what they've done wrong in the past," said Uk Dy, 45, a taxi driver in the capital.

This week, Duch toured the Choeung Ek "killing fields" and Tuol Sleng prison--which he directed under the Khmer Rouge--with tribunal judges and witnesses.

On Thursday and Friday, witnesses confronted the former prison chief in two days of confidential proceedings.

Leang Eng, 47, a cart vendor of sweet cakes, said she shook with anger when she heard Duch was visiting Choeung Ek and Tuol Sleng, because she believes her two brothers were executed after imprisonment in Tuol Sleng, and she knows he was in control.

"I want the Khmer Rouge tribunal to seriously punish Duch and the other Khmer Rouge leaders for their past crimes," she said. "Seriously. Seriously."

"I hate Duch, killing his Cambodian countrymen," said Var Ieng Leang, 56, a housewife. "I am very angry at him, and I can't forget the history of the Khmer Rouge killing fields, because my relatives were killed during that time. I have kept in my deep hatred for the Khmer Rouge leaders, but I cannot do anything against them. But I will let the Khmer Rouge tribunal punish them, in conformity with the law."

emailme.gif E-mail this article
printerfriendly.gif Print Version

  Cambodia News
Cyclos Persist, But Under Hardships

  More Stories
Democrats Make History With Obama Nomination  Audio Clip Available
Tribunal Official To Resign if Graft Is Found  Audio Clip Available
Thais Cancel Meeting on Border Standoff  Audio Clip Available
Party's Double-Voter Complaint Rejected  Audio Clip Available
Tribunal Jurists To Discuss Road Ahead  Audio Clip Available
Reinvestigation Ordered in Relative's Killing
CPP To Control All Ministerial Positions  Audio Clip Available
Council Rejects Opposition Call for Re-Vote  Audio Clip Available
Former King Notes Royal 'Pain' in Politics  Audio Clip Available
National Museum Library Gets US Funding  Audio Clip Available
US Dance Troupe Keeps Traditions Alive  Audio Clip Available
US School Maintains Cambodian Culture  Audio Clip Available
Ministry Yet to Detail FBI Aid in Murder Case  Audio Clip Available
Constitutional Council Denies SRP Recount  Audio Clip Available
15 Years Reduced in Pedophile Appeal  Audio Clip Available
Tribunal Kickbacks Still a Hurdle for US  Audio Clip Available
Traffic Crashes More Serious in 2008: Police  Audio Clip Available