Japanese judge Motoo Noguchi yesterday announced his resignation from the Khmer Rouge tribunal, where he sits on the Supreme Court Chamber bench.

Noguchi, one of three international judges on the seven-judge bench, has been at the court since its inception in 2006.

In a statement, Noguchi said it had been an “honour” to bring justice to survivors of the Khmer Rouge regime.

“I trust that they will continue to strive to overcome the tragic past which once put the country in ruins, as was the case with the Japanese people half a century ago,” he said.

Noguchi is the third judge to resign from the tribunal in seven months, but his departure was not accompanied by allegations of political pressure.

To contact the reporter on this story: Bridget Di Certo at [email protected]