A barrister from England has been appointed by the United Nations to its team of senior prosecutors at the Khmer Rouge tribunal.

Keith Raynor, 47, has no known international criminal tribunal experience, but the court’s legal communications officer Lars Olsen said he would bring significant experience to the prosecution team.

“Mr Raynor will bring over 25 years legal experience to the court, in particular in respect of complex criminal trial work in England and Wales,” he said.

Raynor, who was one of 12 to emerge from a larger pool of candidates to make the interview process, told the Derby Telegraph he had always been interested in internat-ional criminal law and was delighted by the opportunity that would see him focusing on the very large Case 002 against the Khmer Rouge regime’s three most senior surviving leaders.

“I am particularly looking forward to working with Cambodian and other international lawyers. It will be a challenge, but I like to be challenged,” he told the Derby Telegraph.

“It is a significant change for me and my family, but there will be opportunities for all of us in Cambodia and the chance to experience a different culture.”