Sam Bith Being Treated in Hospital for Stroke

Sam Bith, a former Khmer Rouge regional commander sentenced for the 1994 slayings of three Western backpackers, is being treated in a wing for the poor at Calmette Hospital following a stroke, hospital staff said Sunday.

The stroke has left Sam Bith, in his early 70s, unable to speak, said a hospital staff member who asked not to be identified.

“It’s not dangerous to his life. It affects only his right arm. Both of his legs are working,” the staff member said.

A doctor at Prey Sar prison, where Sam Bith was held before being hospitalized, said he suffered the stroke about one month ago and was sent to Monivong Municipal Hospital Sept 25.

He was transferred to Calmette when the first hospital was unable to treat him, the prison doctor said. The stroke was linked to high blood pressure, he added.

“We have taken very good care of him, but blood pressure can kill people instantly,” said the prison doctor. “He is very lucky he is still alive.”

On Dec 23, 2002, Sam Bith was convicted of ordering a Kam­pot train ambush that killed 13 Cam­bodians and led to the backpackers’ deaths. He was sentenced to life in prison.

Two other rebel officials have been convicted for their roles in the events. Nuon Paet is in pri­son, while Chhouk Rin lives in Kampot.

Kim Ry, Sam Bith’s wife, said Sam Bith is living on a diet of porridge.

“I think recently he has been thinking a bit, which gives him high blood pressure,” Kim Ry said. She said she does not have money to pay for his treatment.

Reporters were barred from visiting Sam Bith’s hospital room.

Sam Bith is not one of the senior rebel officials who obser­vers predict will be put on trial for the Khmer Rouge atrocities. How­ever, he could be called as a witness, Youk Chhang, director of the Documentation Center of Cambodia, said Sunday.

“If he is sick, there will be many others who can take his place,” Youk Chhang added.

Ex-Khmer Rouge foreign minister Ieng Sary, former head of state Khieu Samphan and Nuon Chea, Pol Pot’s closest adviser, have all re­ceived medical treatment in Thailand, Youk Chhang said.

He called for the establishment of the tribunal to be hastened be­fore the rebel leaders die.

“They robbed us of our lives and they have the ability to take care of themselves,” he said. “I don’t want them to die without seeing justice being done.”

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