The Khmer Rouge tribunal announced yesterday that it would hand down its decision on November 23 on the appeals by Nuon Chea and Khieu Samphan against their convictions for crimes against humanity.

The tribunal’s lower chamber found both defendants guilty in Case 002/01 two years ago over crimes committed during the forced evacuation of Phnom Penh in 1975, as well as for the executions of soldiers from the defeated Lon Nol regime at Tuol Po Chrey in Pursat province.

Those crimes, for which they were jailed for life, constituted the first part of the lengthy indictment against the two surviving leaders of the ultra-Maoist movement. Lawyers for Nuon Chea lodged 223 grounds for appeal; those for Khieu Samphan submitted 148.

The appeal judgement was initially projected to be handed down by the end of September. Chea and Samphan remain on trial in Case 002/02, in which they are being prosecuted for a number of alleged crimes, including genocide and forced marriage.

Also yesterday the tribunal announced that India has donated a further $50,000 towards funding the national component of the cash-strapped court. It brings that country’s contribution to $1.05 million to date.