Khmer-language Voice of America radio ignited several hours of nationwide commotion on Thursday when it reported that justice was at hand for Khmer Rouge crimes and an arrest warrant had been issued for former rebel leaders Khieu Samphan and Nuon Chea.
According to a transcript of the VOA report, Hangrot Raken, general prosecutor for the Appeals Court, had ordered Battambang Provincial Court Prosecutor Yam Yeth to issue warrants for Khieu Samphan, former head of state for Democratic Kampuchea, and Nuon Chea, who ranked second to Pol Pot.
However, the excitement was short lived with court and law enforcement officials promptly denying that Pol Pot’s top lieutenants were destined for detention and possible prosecution.
Hangrot Raken denied that arrest warrants for the two existed, saying that last month he had only asked prosecutors in northwestern Cambodia to begin gathering evidence against surviving Khmer Rouge leaders.
He added: “VOA did not ask me [about warrants], so why did they broadcast that?” But, he said, “If those judges find enough evidence concerning the crimes, they can arrest them right away.”
Yam Yeth, the Battambang prosecutor, said Thursday that he had recently met with Hangrot Raken and suggested that the investigation of former Khmer Rouge leaders and the issuance of warrants should be left to a special court, such as the UN-backed tribunal that the government is working to set up.
“Right now we can do nothing to” Khieu Samphan and Nuon Chea, Yem Yeth said.
Pailin Deputy Governor Keut Sothea said Thursday that many people in Pailin had heard the radio report and were not sure what to think of it.
“We have no reaction, because we don’t know if it’s true or not.” Keut Sothea said. “Most people in Pailin do not know about this issue. If they do know, I don’t know what they will do.”
Pailin Deputy Police Chief Chea Chandin, a former Khmer Rouge soldier, said a journalist in Phnom Penh had told him Khieu Samphan and Nuon Chea had been arrested.
“I sent my police to check and they were still in their houses,” he said.
The VOA report cited numerous anonymous sources and Benson Samay, the lawyer for Ta Mok. Benson Samay said several times on Thursday that he was too busy to comment on the VOA report.
VOA reporters declined to comment on the report Thursday.
Unlike Duch, the jailed former director of Toul Sleng prison, and jailed former military commander Ta Mok, Yem Yeth said, “these people were integrated into the government and the government has welcomed them into society.”
Battambang Provincial Police Chief Heng Chantha and Pailin Municipal Police Chief Lav Cha Chhay said they had not received any warrants for Khieu Samphan and Nuon Chea.
The two reside on the Thai border outside Pailin municipality, which falls under the jurisdiction of the Battambang provincial court.
(Additional reporting by Porter Barron)
