Wednesday, 9 July 2008

Former Cambodian Khmer Rouge minister denied bail

Ieng Thirith has been charged with crimes against humanity for her role in the 1970s Khmer Rouge regime. [AFP]

Radio Australia

The United Nations-backed Khmer Rouge tribunal in Cambodia has dismissed a bail request by former Khmer Rouge cabinet minister, Ieng Thirith.

The Presiding Judge says the request was denied to ensure Ieng Thirith's presence at trial, protect her personal safety and preserve public order.

Ieng Thirith, 76, was minister of education and of social affairs during the Khmer Rouge reign from 1975 to 1979.

She's the wife of former Khmer Rouge deputy prime minister and foreign minister Ieng Sary.

Both husband and wife have been charged with crimes against humanity, Ieng Sary has also been charged with war crimes.

Ieng Thirith was the third of the five Khmer Rouge leaders 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.

Duch is expected to be the first person to be tried, sometime in August or September, by the UN-backed Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia.

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.

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