PHNOM PENH , July 9 KYODO
The U.N.-backed Khmer Rouge tribunal in Cambodia dismissed Wednesday a bail request by former Khmer Rouge Cabinet minister Ieng Thirith. Presiding Judge Prak Kimsan said the request was denied to ensure her presence at trail, and protect her personal safety. Ieng Thirith, 76, made the appeal for bail May 21. She was minister of education and of social affairs during the Khmer Rouge reign from 1975 to 1979.
Ieng Thirith, who is the wife of former Khmer Rouge Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ieng Sary, was charged with crimes against humanity in November last year. Ieng Sary, 83, is also charged with war crimes and crimes against humanity. Ieng Thirith was the third of the five Khmer Rouge leaders who are in detention awaiting trial whose appeals for release have been denied.
The court earlier dismissed appeals by Kaing Kek Ieu, known as Duch, chief of Tuol Sleng torture center and Nuon Chea, known as Brother No. 2. No decision has yet been rendered on Ieng Sary's appeal. Tribunal ECCC sources said Duch will be the first person to be tried, sometime in August or September. The trials of the others -- Nuon Chea, Ieng Sary, Ieng Thirith and former head of state Kheiu Samphan -- are not expected before next year.
The Khmer Rouge regime is blamed for the deaths of at least 1.7 million Cambodians during their rule.
KyodoJuly 09, 2008