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Tags >> Le Monde
Oct 04
2009

Le Monde suggests Im Chem is a suspect

Posted by in Sam Rainsy , Prosecution , Le Monde , Im Chem

An article appearing in the September 30 issue of the French newspaper Le Monde suggests that Im Chem, who served as chief of Preah Net Preah district in Banteay Meanchey province during Democratic Kampuchea, is among the five suspects named in introductory submissions filed by the prosecution last month.

The lede of the article -- written by Jacques Follorou and titled "An Ex-Khmer Rouge Claims the Right To Be Forgotten" -- states: "At first glance, it is difficult to picture that Im Chem, a slender-looking grandmother with high cheek bones, is among the five new people accused by the KR Tribunal in mid-September", according to an English translation available on KI Media. A subhead in the print edition describes Im Chem as "one of the accused". The article provides no evidence and cites no sources in support of this claim. 

UN court spokesman Lars Olsen on Sunday said the report was "pure speculation", adding: "The court cannot confirm anything at this point because the names have not been made public."