Decades following the Khmer Rouge regime terrorized Cambodia, one of the Khmer Rouge trials has concluded. One of the Khmer Rouge’s chief butchers, Kang Kek Iew or Kaing Guek Eav, or “Comrade Duch” was captured in 1999 and has been on trial since then. The trial of the man who presided over more than 17,000 executions has concluded. Credited for time served, the man who presided over 17,000 executions at his prison will serve only 19 years in jail. The light sentence incensed the survivors and families of victims. Source of article – Former Khmer Rouge executioner gets 19 years for genocide by Personal Money Store.
Khmer Rouge warden saw thousands dead
The Khmer Rouge seized power in 1975. Led by Pol Pot, they sought to eradicate the middle class and create an isolated agrarian collectivist utopia. The first to be sentenced to die were the educated, teachers, and even wearing glasses carried a death sentence for appearing to be haughty and bookish. Kaing Guek Eav was the head of security for the state police, the Santebal, and was placed in charge of the notorious Tuol Sleng Prison, also called S-21. Tuol Sleng received over 17,000 prisoners for torture and execution. Only 12 survived a trip to Toul Sleng.
Capture and the trial
Khmer Rouge officials and personnel scattered after their regime was toppled in 1979. Pol Pot lived in a jungle retreat and was confined to house arrest until his death in 1998. Several other high-ranking Khmer Rouge party members are still on trial. Kaing Guek Eav surrendered to authorities in 1999, having been found near the Thai-Cambodian border living under an assumed name. He was brought to trial before the Khmer Rouge tribunals. Convicted of crimes against humanity, he was sentenced on July 26, 2010, to 35 years in prison with 16 years credited for pre-trial detention and time served. As outlined by the Christian Science Monitor, he will only serve 19 years behind bars.
What you need, my son
As outlined by the BBC, individuals who lived under the Khmer Rouge and the families of the murdered aren’t happy with the sentence. Millions perished at the hands of the Khmer Rouge, and one of its chief henchmen may live to be released. Present at his trial was Chum Mey, one of three living survivors of Tuol Seng. The Khmer Rouge murdered his wife and children. He said “millions of people died, lots of money has been spent on the court – and the perpetrator is free (in 19 years)? I am not happy with that.”
Additional reading
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Khmer_Rouge
csmonitor.com/World/Asia-Pacific/2010/0726/Khmer-Rouge-executioner-found-guilty-but-Cambodians-say-sentence-too-light
bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-pacific-10763409
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