KRT to Hear Closing Statements in October

Closing statements in the Khmer Rouge tribunal’s first Case 002 “mini-trial” are due in October, after which the second segment of the trial will begin-with a new panel of international and national judges—the Supreme Court Chamber announced Tuesday.

Both the defense and prosecution will deliver their final arguments for and against a conviction of the remaining two war crimes defendants, Nuon Chea and Khieu Samphan, over a nine-day period in October before the Trial Chamber judges retire to deliberate and eventually issue a verdict.

The next segment of the trial will, as requested by Nuon Chea’s defense team and the co-prosecutors, include charges related to the Khmer Rouge era prison S-21, a worksite for forced labor, a cooperative and the crime of genocide.

Over the course of the Case 002 mini-trial, which has heard testimony from three expert witnesses, 51 fact witnesses, five character witnesses and 32 Civil Parties, the court has heard about the defendants’ roles over the course of the Pol Pot regime, as well as stories of unimaginable suffering.

There were weeks when the age and health of the ailing defendants and funding woes combined to bring proceedings to a complete standstill.

Two of the other war crimes defendants, Ieng Thirith and Ieng Sary will not be sentenced, after Ieng Thirith was declared unfit to stand trial due to dementia last year and Ieng Sary died earlier this year.

On Tuesday, prior to receiving the Supreme Court Chamber decision, Trial Chamber President Nil Nonn informed parties of the closing stages of the trial.

“Pending the decision of the Supreme Court Chamber, which will provide further guidance in this respect, the Trial Chamber announces, however, its tentative schedule is as follows: Closing briefs are to be submitted by September 12.

“Closing statements will be held on October 9 and concluding on October 22, including Fridays.”

Prosecutors have 225 pages, defense teams 125 pages and civil party lawyers 105 pages in which to sum up their cases in writing.

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