Cambodia's KRouge trial set to open

CAMBODIA: Cambodia's UN-backed genocide tribunal this week opens the long-awaited trial of the Khmer Rouge's former prison chief, the first person to face justice for the "Killing Fields" horrors 30 years ago.

Cambodians will watch live on television on Tuesday as Kaing Guek Eav - better known as Duch - appears for an initial hearing over his role in the communist 1975-1979 regime which killed up to two million people.

"The formal opening of the first trial is a hugely important day for Cambodia," said tribunal spokeswoman Helen Jarvis. "It will be a milestone on the road to justice."

Former maths teacher Duch, 66, is one of five Khmer Rouge leaders who have been detained by the court.

He faces charges of crimes against humanity, war crimes, torture and pre-meditated murder. The initial hearing is expected to last one or two days and will involve procedural matters that will "decide the shape and structure of the trial," prosecution team member William Smith said.

The judges will finalise the witness list and also decide on preliminary legal objections, Smith said, adding that full testimony was not expected until March.

Phnom Penh, Sunday, AFP