PHNOM PENH — Defense teams for jailed Khmer Rouge leaders on trial at the UN-backed tribunal say they object to including the former torture center of Tuol Sleng in cases against their clients.
The court is currently holding a hearing on whether to divide the case of three leaders—Nuon Chea, Khieu Samphan and Ieng Sary—into parts, to expedite the trial.
On Monday, international prosecutor Andrew Cayley said Tuol Sleng, known to the Khmer Rouge as S-21, should be included in the case against them, as it is representative of many of the crimes that took place during the regime.
Victor Koppe, defense attorney for Nuon Chea, told the court Wednesday there would have to be a “far more certain examination of what exactly happened there.”
Defense attorneys said they would not accept a splitting of the case into parts.
Kong Sam On, a defense lawyer for Khieu Samphan, said a division of the case would affect rights of his client.