Logo of Phnom Penh Post newspaper Phnom Penh Post - KRT defence probes factions

KRT defence probes factions

Audience members follow the testimony of Meas Sourn on a television screen at the Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts  of Cambodia earlier this week during Case 002/02. ECCC
Audience members follow the testimony of Meas Sourn on a television screen at the Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia earlier this week during Case 002/02. ECCC

KRT defence probes factions

Silent black-and-white scenes, purported to be of Pol Pot’s visit to an East Zone rubber plantation in 1978, opened the Khmer Rouge tribunal hearing yesterday.

Defence lawyer Victor Koppe requested the short clip – featuring a fist-raising crowd and smiling cadre – be replayed for witness Meas Sourn, after he appeared to become “emotional” after viewing it the day before.

The footage, the defence claimed, “clearly” depicted a young Heng Samrin, a former Khmer Rouge official and current president of the National Assembly, months before he defected to the Vietnamese.

Sourn, however, said the face looked like his father, prompting heated debate in the court room. His father, Chan, was the former deputy of the East Zone under Sao Phim, who was accused of plotting a coup d’état.

Statements from other current members of the ruling party, such as Uk Bun Chhoeun, were also drawn upon to question Sourn as to what he knew of competing loyalties among the leadership, a key element of the Chea defence.

Bun Chhoeun’s statement claimed Sourn’s father Chan was “faithful to Pol Pot to the end”, but according to an interview of Heng Samrin by academic Ben Keirnan, Chan was “initially loyal”, but later distrusted.

Sourn said he “did not have a full grasp of the situation” when asked about details of infighting. “After 25 May 1978, not only Heng Samrin’s forces but also other forces were fleeing and fighting against the forces from the centre in the East Zone.”

The trial resumes July 26.

MOST VIEWED

  • Five-year-old Hanuman dances his way into hearts of Cambodia

    A young talent from a new-established settlement has emerged, captivating the online world with his mesmerising performances of the traditional Cambodian monkey dance. Roeun Kakada is a five-year-old prodigy who has taken the social media sphere by storm with his exceptional dance skills and dedication

  • Fresh Covid warnings as Thai hospital fills

    A senior health official reminds the public to remain vigilant, as neighbouring countries experience an increase in Covid-19 cases, with the latest surge appearing to be a result of the Omicron XBB.1.5 sub-variant. Or Vandine, secretary of state and spokeswoman for the Ministry of Health,

  • Honda shutters Siem Reap football club

    Japanese football legend Keisuke Honda, the owner of Siem Reap football club Soltilo Angkor FC, has been forced to shut the club down, after it failed to attract sponsorship for the upcoming season. Honda, the former manager of the Cambodia men's national football team, said

  • Hun Sen warns of regional tensions

    ASIA is becoming a dangerous geopolitical hotspot, with several countries announcing that they intend to send naval vessels towards Southeast Asia and on to the South China Sea, warned Prime Minister Hun Sen. “Heated geopolitical issues can easily escalate, namely to war. I am not

  • PM declares ASEAN Para Games open

    The 12th ASEAN Para Games officially kicked off on the evening of June 3 at Morodok Techo National Stadium in Phnom Penh, with a spectacular opening ceremony featuring fireworks and performances by some of the Kingdom’s most accomplished talents. Tens of thousands of sports fans

  • Waterway job still pending for Kampot tourism port’s opening

    The search is still on for a contractor to expand and deepen the Kampot International Tourism Port’s waterway and deliver additional enhancements allowing safe access for larger vessels, nearly a year after the main construction work on the 4.25ha site was completed on June 30, 2022.