ECCC, Case 002/01, Issue 64

Case 002/01

ECCC

Cambodia

English

This week the Chamber examined two witnesses, both former KR cadres who testified primarily on the role of the Co-Accused. Leng Chhoeung described his work as Khieu Samphan’s driver prior to the fall of Phnom Penh in January 1979. Nou Mao testified that he had known a plan amongst the CPK leaders to evacuate Phnom Penh prior to 17 April 1975. However, he was unable to maintain with certainty whether Khieu Samphan supported the evacuation policy. He also provided information about the fate of Lon Nol soldiers who arrived at his commune after the fall of Phnom Penh in 1975.

Various legal and procedural issues arose throughout the week, the most notable of which concerned the use of Ben Kiernan’s interview notes during Nou Mao’s examination. Although the Witness had been interviewed by historian Ben Kiernan in 1981, he had never been formally interviewed by the OCIJ. Further objections were raised concerning repetitive questioning and witness speculation. Aside from these issues, the trial proceeded over three days without any significant trial management issues.