Hearings at the Khmer Rouge tribunal were interrupted yesterday when former regime foreign minister Ieng Sary had to be sent to hospital.

Ieng Sary, who has suffered numerous health ailments and suffers from a heart condition, has previously been admitted to hospital during his detention at the ECCC.

Doctor Ky Bousuor, who examined Ieng Sary yesterday, said the 86-year-old was suffering a flu-like condition that was not life threatening.

“Ieng Sary has a big cold; he has been coughing with blood,” Ky Bousuor said.

“We took his blood for testing and for monitoring the condition of his liver, and we gave medicine to him to stabilise his heart condition, so he may stay in the hospital for two days,” Ky Bousuor said, adding that Ieng Sary could be kept for as long as five days in hospital.

Ieng Sary is one of five top Khmer Rouge leaders now detained by the UN-backed court for crimes against humanity.

At least 1.7 million people died of starvation and overwork or were executed by the Khmer Rouge while he was in power.

Ieng Sary was on occasion hospitalised even before his detention at the tribunal.

His lawyers have previously stressed his health is only deteriorating in detention.

Cambodian co-defence lawyer Ang Udom said he has no detailed information about the condition of his client Ieng Sary, but was “worried about his life”.

To contact the reporter on this story: Vong Sokheng at [email protected]