Two new nominees to fill the open posts of co-investigating and reserve co-investigating judge at the Khmer Rouge tribunal will be considered by the Supreme Council of Magistracy as early as next week, officials said.

Sam Prachea Manith, director of the minister’s cabinet at the Ministry of Justice, said yesterday that the UN had submitted two names to the government last week.

“One American and one French are to be nominated as investigating judge and reserve investigating judge at the Khmer Rouge tribunal to replace the former judges,” he said.

The former international judges both quit in protest, alleging outside interference in their investigations into government-opposed cases 003 and 004.

Open Society Justice Initiative court monitor Clair Duffy said the new judges face a “mighty task”.

“The primary task ... will be to try to restore some credibility in the Case 003 and 004 investigations, thereby stemming the loss of public confidence in the Office of Co-Investigating Judges and collateral damage to the ECCC overall,” she said.

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

Chhay Channyda at [email protected]