Cambodia begins final arguments

KRouge jail chief trial:

CAMBODEIA: Cambodia’s Khmer Rouge war crimes court on Monday began final arguments in its first trial, bringing the regime’s prison chief closer to justice for the “Killing Fields” atrocities 30 years ago.

Kaing Guek Eav better known as Duch has apologised for his role in the horrors of the hardline regime, which killed up to two million people.

But civil lawyers representing victims argued Monday that Duch had failed to acknowledge the full extent of his guilt.

“Your honours must objectively, we say, review the evidence to determine whether or not what has been accepted by the accused amounts to full disclosure and the full truth,” lawyer Karim Khan told judges.

“In large and important material particulars, even today, the accused has sought to evade or minimise his role and the awful reality that was S-21 (prison) and the regime that operated there and the fate and suffering that befell so many civil parties that we all represent.”

The tribunal appointed civil party lawyers who represent the views of 93 of the regime’s victims, seeking a harsh decision from the court.

The prosecution is scheduled to begin presenting its arguments Tuesday.

Duch is expected to apologise again this week as his defence bids to lessen his sentence.

Phnom Penh, Monday, AFP