Officials remained tight-lipped yesterday about the whereabouts and health of former Khmer Rouge Minister for For­­­eign Affairs Ieng Sary.

The 86-year-old was rushed to hospital in the middle of proceedings on Thursday at the Khmer Rouge tribunal.

Chhoeung Yovyan, deputy president of the Khmer-Soviet Friendship Hospital, where Ieng Sary was admitted with breathing difficulties, yesterday refused to release any information because he had been rebuked by the tribunal.

“I was blamed when I talked to you [media] last week, now I only make reports for the ECCC,” Chhoeung Yovyan said.

The tribunal’s legal affairs spokesman Lars Olsen yesterday confirmed Ieng Sary was still in hospital but said he had no information about when he might be discharged.

Ieng Sary’s Cambodian defence lawyer, Ang Udom, said he had no new information about his client’s health.

“I haven’t had time to visit him at the hospital,” Ang Udom said.

To contact the reporters on this story: Vong Sokheng at [email protected]

Bridget Di Certo at [email protected]