Five suspects submitted by ECCC

Until now, only five defendants, submitted by the Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia (ECCC) last month, are the suspects to be charged with involvement in crimes, grave breaches of the Geneva Convention, homicide, torture and religious persecution. Their names have not been released in public yet.

Even though, whose names have yet to publish in public, we can speculate that those suspects are Nuon Chea, Khieu Samphan, Ieng Sary and Kaing Khek Iev (also known Duch). At the mean times, local-Khmer newspapers, Rasmei Kampuchea Daily, published on the front-page photographs of five suspects, including Ieng Thirith who is wife of Ieng Sary.

Ieng Vuth, Pailin’s deputy municipal governor, criticized media speculation over the potential defendants at the Khmer Rouge Tribunal, especially fingering both of his parents.

Khmer Rouge Tribunal co-prosecutor Robert Petit also criticized the publication of the photos. He added that “I think it’s irresponsible to speculate. It doesn’t do anything constructive for anyone, especially the victims.” The Daily reported.

Nuon Chea, known as brother number 2, speculated that he was among the five suspects, along with Khieu Samphan, and Duch. He said that “I am the second person in this regime, and I have to be responsible for everything that happened in it, but I have to tell people why people died during that time.” Nuon Chea seemly protected Ieng Sary and Ieng Thirith. He said that they were not involved in any decision-making.

Among five suspects, Duch, have only been detained in ECCC and he will be the first identified by tribunal prosecutor and to be charged with crimes against humanity. Adding that he is ready to reveal the crimes committed by the Khmer Rouge.

For Khieu Samphan, there was not reaction to list of five potential defendants submitted by ECCC to be tried but his wife, Sour Socheat, said that his husband was not available to speak on the phone.