Tribunal Orders Four Jailed Suspects To Appear

The Khmer Rouge tribunal’s Trial Chamber has officially ordered four jailed leaders to appear for their initial atrocities trial hearing, advising the aging defendants they will be expected to sit throughout the proceedings.

The hearing is set for June 27 and will mark the beginning of a complicated trial that analysts say is at the heart of the tribunal’s efforts.

Defendants Nuon Chea, Khieu Samphan, Ieng Sary and Ieng Thirith will be present before Trial Chamber judges from 8:30 am until the end of the hearing, the chamber’s chief judge, Nil Nonn, said in a court order sent to the chief of provisional detention.

The Trial Chamber expects to review more than 1,000 witnesses, experts and civil party applicants for the trial, known as Case 002. More than 2,000 Khmer Rouge victims have filed to become civil parties, but that number will be smaller by the end of the June hearing.

A full trial for the four leaders could start as soon as August, court officials said.