It has been a little while since I posted, partly because the Phnom Penh Post website has been undergoing an upgrade (sorry that the format is still a bit strange), and partly because I spent the last week traveling with my parents, who are visiting the region.
But I was back at court today, in time to see the chamber wrap up questioning of civil party Nam Mon. Claiming she had been a medic at S-21, Nam’s story was somewhat inconsistent, which seems to have been the case for several other Khmer Rouge survivors who testified recently. Civil party lawyers were actually scolded last week for having inadequately prepared their clients. Hopefully they will do a more thorough job in the future.
At the same time, civil party lawyers have accused judges and defense counsel of lacking the necessary sensitivity when questioning trauma survivors. Lawyer Silke Studzinksy interrupted defense attorney Kar Savuth several times today, asking that he take a less “aggressive” tone with the witness.
Former S-21 deputy Mam Nay made a brief appearance in court at the end of the day. His testimony was slated to begin, but defense attorney Francois Roux objected that Mam might end up incriminating himself if Joint Criminal Enterprise were ever applied at the court. He insisted that Mam be able to consult with a lawyer. The chamber adjourned early so the witness could do so. Hopefully his much-anticipated testimony will begin tomorrow morning.
