Khmer Rouge tribunal defendant Khieu Samphan yesterday refused to end his boycott of hearings in Case 002/02, calling the trial chamber on its promise to take “further measures” – including appointing new counsel – to ensure the trial can proceed, his lawyer said.

According to Samphan defender Kong Sam Onn, his client “is still maintaining his position” that it is impossible for him and his counsel to fully participate in both hearings in Case 002/02 and in the drafting of an appeal in Case 002/01, for which Samphan and co-defendant Nuon Chea received life sentences.

The team has said it will return to court by December 29.

In a hearing on Monday, the trial chamber said it may appoint outside counsel to represent Samphan in the interim or reclassify his current attorneys, obliging them to take direction from the court, not Samphan. But Sam Onn said it would be “impossible for us to accept this appointment”.

Court spokesman Lars Olsen said he could not confirm Samphan’s decision.