In what has become a somewhat routine process at the ECCC, tribunal judges turned down a defendant's appeal against provisional detention today. Along with citing the usual rationale -- fear the charged person will try to flee, concern she might intimidate witnesses -- judges described some of the "well-founded reasons to believe (Ieng Thirith) may have committed crimes against humanity."

Judges referenced her powerful position as minister of social affairs under Democratic Kampuchea. In that role, she had admitted to them, she was involved in the administration of the country's hospitals -- including hospital food -- and pharmaceutical plants.

"My duty was heavy," the judges said Thirith had told them.

In her position, she was known for frequently leading meetings in which she accused "this person or that person of being a traitor," the judges reported.