Ieng Thirith to Remain in Detention: Tribunal
A lawyer for the former Khmer Rouge minister called the ruling unfair and detention healthcare inadequate. (09 July 2008)
The pre-trial chamber of the Khmer Rouge tribunal ruledWednesday it would not grant bail to Ieng Thirith, the former social affairsminister of the regime. Her release could jeopardize evidence and lead to thethreats of witnesses, Judge Prak Kimsan said in delivering the decision. Ieng Thirith, 76, was arrested in November 2007 and chargedby the tribunal with crimes against humanity. "The decision of the co-investigating judge to detainthe accused is valid," Prak Kimsan said. "The provisional detentionis still necessary." Co-investigating judges decided to keep Ieng Thirith indetention because they were worried that Ieng Thirith could intimidate victims ormake compromises with former co-conspirators. She was being held also to protect evidence, victims and herown security, and to guarantee she would be present during the trial, judgesruled. As social affairs minister, Ieng Thirith held a position ofhigh responsibility and conducted regular political meetings with high-rankingcadre, the five-judge panel ruled. Phat Pouv Seang, co-defense for Ieng Thirith, told reportersafter the hearing the decision was "unfair" and her healthcare was not adequate. "The pre-trial chamber based [its decision] on thecriminality of Ieng Thirith, but this kind of argument would be explained inthe trial stage," he said. Prak Kimsan said Wednesday the decision could not be appealed.