A Day of “Chaotic Situations”: Witness Ny Kan Continues His Testimony Before the ECCC

by Kelley Dupre Andrews, JD/LLM (International Human Rights) candidate, Class of 2015, Northwestern University School of Law
— 29 May, 2012

Proceedings resumed at the Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia (ECCC) with the continuation of testimony by witness Ny Kan on Tuesday, May 29, 2012, in Case 002 against accused Nuon Chea, Ieng Sary, and Khieu Samphan. The court bustled with even more activity than the previous day, as three buses of high school students marched into the public gallery shortly before 9:00am. A number of villagers were also present; sitting in the front row of the gallery, they appeared ready and eager for proceedings to begin.

The judges entered the Chamber a few minutes after 9:00 a.m. Before granting International Co- Prosecutor Vincent de Wilde permission to continue the examination of witness Ny Kan, Trial Chamber President Nil Nonn instructed a court officer to report on accused Ieng Sary. Announcing all parties to be present except Ieng Sary, the court officer informed the court that Ieng Sary had again waived his right to be present in the Chamber and had requested permission to follow the day’s proceedings remotely from his holding cell. Recognizing Ieng Sary’s difficulty sitting in court for long periods of time, President Nonn granted the accused permission to remain in his holding cell. He also informed Ieng Sary’s counsel that the accused would be able to assist them remotely. President Nonn then handed the floor to Mr. de Wilde…

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.