Khieu Samphan’s condition was not considered extremely urgent “but necessitated attention” given his history of high blood pressure, tribunal spokesman Reach Sambath said. He was driven from his detention cell to a Phnom Penh hospital on his doctors’ recommendation.

The U.N.-assisted tribunal has charged Khieu Samphan with crimes against humanity and war crimes, detaining him since last November.

His hospitalization came as the tribunal was hearing an appeal against pretrial detention from Ieng Thirith, the Khmer Rouge’s former social affairs minister.

Ieng Thirith and Khieu Samphan are among five suspects facing trial for their alleged roles in the regime’s brutality. Trials are expected to begin later this year.

The tribunal is seeking justice for atrocities committed by the ultra-communist Khmer Rouge when it ruled Cambodia in 1975-79, with some 1.7 million people dying from starvation, disease, overwork and execution.

The Cambodian lawyer for the 76-year-old Ieng Thirith has said she suffers from chronic illnesses, “both mental and physical,” that require constant treatment.

Her British lawyer, Diana Ellis — defendants have both a local and a foreign lawyer — told the court her client presented no risk of fleeing the country if freed.

“The constant need for medical attention, her infirmity, all mitigates against any sensible suggestion that she would flee the country,” she said.

“In view of her age and her poor, chronic health, a lengthy period in detention will self-evidently adversely affect her health and, to that extent, her personal security.”

The suspect is the sister-in-law of Khmer Rouge supreme leader Pol Pot, who died in 1998, and wife of Ieng Sary, the regime’s deputy prime minister and foreign minister, who is detained on charges of crimes against humanity and war crimes.

Subscribe to The China Post and save.  Click hereSharePrintEmail

Write a Comment

Enter your comments - 800 characters max

Receive China Post promos

Respond to this email