The Court of Appeals decided on November 3 to postpone the trial of former Khmer

Rouge commander Sam Bith because he is seriously ill and undergoing treatment at

Monivong Hospital, Bith's lawyer said.

Nou Chantha said he met with his client on November 2 to discuss the trial proceedings,

but at that time Bith could not speak or rise from his hospital bed. After explaining

Bith's condition, the Appeal Court agreed to postpone until an undisclosed later

date.

Bith was arrested in 2002 and received a life sentence for his role in a 1994 train

attack which killed 13 Cambodians. Three Western backpackers were taken hostage and

later killed.

Two other ex-KR commanders from the southwestern province of Kampot, Nuon Paet and

Chhouk Rin, also received life imprisonment for the killings and are presently detained

at Prey Sar prison.