Former Khmer Rouge leaders Nuon Chea and Khieu Samphan are fit to continue standing trial in the second phase of the case against them, according to expert evidence from two doctors submitted to the Khmer Rouge tribunal’s Trial Chamber on Friday.
Following medical assessments earlier this week, geriatrician Chan Kin Ming told the tribunal that both defendants were capable of attending four sittings a week, “but with the extended break in between so they have adequate rest for the afternoon session,” Dr. Chan said, referring to a request from 83-year-old Khieu Samphan to extend the lunchtime break to two hours.
The trial chamber has adjourned a number of times in recent weeks due to the health of Khieu Samphan, who also spent several days in hospital suffering from high blood pressure and dizziness earlier this month.
Psychiatrist Huot Lina told the tribunal that “the mental health of the two accused is unchanged” since their last assessment, but recommended that a specialist conduct more regular checks of their mental health states.
