“Duch Was Just a Tool”

by Charles Jackson, Candidate for Juris Doctorate, Northwestern University School of Law, Chicago, Illinois
— 28 Mar, 2011

There was an almost nervous energy in the audience today as the visitor’s gallery at the ECCC filled with Cambodian onlookers for the first day of the Kaing Guek Eav (alias “Duch”) appeals before the Supreme Court Chamber.

Proceedings began with a summary reading of the Trial Chamber’s judgment by President of the Supreme Court Chamber, Kong Srim, including the crimes Duch was convicted of, the 35-year sentence issued, and the due process violation that reduced it by five years. He then summarized the procedural setting for the hearing and passed the floor over to defense to put their case forward as to why the Trial Chamber judgment should be invalidated and Duch released.

Duch spoke first, but only to state his belief that the Trial Chamber erred in finding personal jurisdiction over him and that his lawyers have authority to represent him before the Supreme Court Chamber…

Read more: ctm_blog_03-28-2011

Cambodia Tribunal Monitor’s Trial Observer posts are written according to the personal observations and opinions of the writer and do not constitute a transcript of ECCC proceedings or the views of Cambodia Tribunal Monitor and/or its partners. Official court transcripts for the ECCC’s hearings may be accessed at the ECCC website.