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June 28, 2011

Trial Begins For Former Khmer Rouge Leaders 
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A trial is underway in Cambodia for the four most senior surviving
members of the Khmer Rouge. The former officials face charges that
include crimes against humanity, war crimes, genocide, religious
persecution, homicide and torture. The Khmer Rouge is believed to have
killed at least 1.7 million Cambodians during the late 1970s. All four
of the accused have plead "not guilty" to the charges against them.
Stephen Rapp is the U.S. ambassador at large for war crime.

Stephen Rapp, U.S. Ambassador at Large for War Crime Issues: "This is
such a traumatic event in the history of this country that touched every
single person here, a quarter of the population murdered and a country
that was turned back to the year zero. An understanding of why it
happened and how it happened is really critical to going forward, and
that is why there is such an outpouring of interest here and why it is
so important that the international community support this trial to the
end."



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