Alarmed by reports of Ta Mok’s failing health, relatives of the former Khmer Rouge military commander appealed Wednesday to international human rights organizations to help win his release from Phnom Penh’s military prison.
“My father is seriously sick,” said Preak Chrek, 40, the youngest daughter of Ta Mok. “If an international court or Cambodia court does not hold a trial soon, my father will die in prison.”
Ta Mok, 76, was imprisoned in 1999 on charges of genocide and membership in the outlawed Khmer Rouge. Cambodian law allows for a six-month pre-trial detention period, but Ta Mok has been held under a special act of the National Assembly allowing a three-year detention period for suspects awaiting a war crimes tribunal.
That three-year detention period was due to expire in March, but the government last Friday filed a new charge of crimes against humanity against Ta Mok, making it possible to hold him another three years without trial.
Using the word “Angka” to refer to the government, the same word used by the Khmer Rouge to describe the shadowy leadership of their revolutionary government, Ta Mok’s daughter Wednesday asked for mercy for her father.
“Please Angka, find justice for my family,” said Preak Chrek. “My father is too sick to be detained for three years more.”
“We want the government to respect its promises and respect state law,” said Preak Bich, 45, Ta Mok’s nephew. “I appeal to the court and international court to release him on guarantee, because we need to take care of him with our own hands before he dies.”
The family spoke to The Cambodia Daily on Wednesday in Phnom Penh.
Family visitation rights have generally not been given to either Ta Mok or Duch, the former director of the Tuol Sleng torture center and the only other man detained in prison today awaiting trial on charges stemming from the bloody reign of the Khmer Rouge.
Duch’s younger sister told the Cambodia Daily recently that she and his daughter tried to see him in prison, but were turned away by guards.
Preak Chrek said she was turned away five times, but allowed to see Ta Mok twice, once for 15 minutes.
“My father asked me: ‘How is your living condition?’” said Preak Chrek. “And he told me: ‘Don’t worry. In March 2002 I will be free.’ But now I heard that he will be in prison for another three years.”
Ta Mok’s relatives said they traveled from their homes in Samlot district, Battambang province, when they heard news reports last week that he was sick. Ta Mok’s lawyer told reporters last Friday that Ta Mok’s blood pressure shot up suddenly last week, and that he required a medical check from doctors.
High blood pressure claimed the life of another ex-Khmer Rouge leader this month. Former Khmer Rouge deputy military commander Ke Pauk’s death sparked an international outcry for a tribunal to be held soon, before all the former leaders die of old age.
But the UN’s recent decision to pull out of the trial process will further delay any legal proceedings.
Still, Ngin Sam An, the investigating judge at the military court, said Ta Mok’s health is satisfactory.
“We have a doctor to take care of him,” Ngin Sam An said. “A few days ago he had high blood pressure, but now he is okay.”
If Ta Mok were held under normal criminal laws he would be allowed to receive family visits on a regular basis, observers said. But he and Duch are being held by Cambodia’s military courts, which forbid family visits.
“He is prison for three years already and there has been no questioning of his guilt,” said Meach Rim, 60, a cousin of Ta Mok.
“My father is not a killer,” Preak Chrek said. “He never killed any Khmer people. The people who ordered the deaths of Khmers are free and rich today, with nice villas, nice cars, and a lot of money, and my family is poor.”
“My father was in prison many years for what? Why put him in prison? He does not get an income. No one is interested in him. Please release him. He is too old nowadays.”
Ta Mok was tricked into turning himself in 1999 when he was invited to attend the wedding of Hun Sen’s daughter, said Preak Chrek. Ta Mok flew by helicopter from his mountain top home at Phnom Dong Rek to Phnom Penh. He was greeted by armed soldiers who took him to the military prison.
“Now I appeal to the government to free my father. We wish for him to stay outside of prison to take care of his health,” she said. “My father is a clean man, and a good person. He only built the country. He made dams, schools, a hospital. The people in Anlong Veng district and all the families wanted him to find justice.
(Additional reporting by Matt McKinney)
