Almost 40 years after the mass
murder by the Khmer Rouge in Cambodia that left perhaps a quarter of the
population dead, two of the regime’s leading lights have been sentenced to life
imprisonment.
88 year old Nuon Chea (pictured) served as the notorious Pol Pot's deputy, while Khieu
Samphan, now aged 83, was head of state. The judge said they were guilty of ‘extermination
encompassing murder, political persecution, and other inhumane acts.’
The Maoist regime’s speciality was to drive people out of the cities and
force into the countryside, where they were worked or starved to death. Many in
Cambodia have criticised the slow pace at which justice has proceeded, and a judge resigned in 2012, complaining that investigations into suspects
were being blocked.
The convicted pair deny the offences and say they will appeal, though
they will remain in gaol. They could also face a further trial on charges of
genocide.
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