Nuon Chea Addresses the Court as the Chamber Hears Testimony of Two Witnesses

Members of the Chamber were busy Wednesday, June 20, 2012 at the Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia (ECCC) as proceedings resumed in Case 002 against accused Nuon Chea, Khieu Samphan, and Ieng Sary. Former Sambo Commune Chief Yun Kim began his second and last day of witness testimony, followed by the commencement of the reserve witness’s examination in the afternoon. The accused Nuon Chea, however, created a midday stir when he made an unexpected request to address the Court. By the conclusion of the day’s proceedings almost every member or counsel had contributed to some form of objection or examination within the Chamber.

Over 440 villagers from Kandal and Takeo provinces witnessed the day’s activity; men, women, the elderly, and children – even a few monks – were present, 330 of them having arrived from Mukh Kampul district in Kandal province, the other 110 people arriving from Takeo. Although visitors generally attend either the morning or afternoon session, Wednesday’s visitors watched proceedings well into the afternoon. Their extended stay proved fortuitous, since Nuon Chea made a rare announcement when proceedings resumed after lunch. He had not personally addressed the Chamber since April.

All members of the Chamber were present for the day’s proceedings except Ieng Sary and his International Co-Lawyer Michael Karnavas. Although Ieng Sary had been given permission to participate in proceedings remotely from his holding cell, the Court Officer announced that Mr. Karnavas was absent “for no reason.” He also informed the Court that reserve witness TCW 321 was in the waiting room, ready to be called to testify at the conclusion of Mr. Kim’s testimony.

President Nonn then turned the floor over to National Civil Party Co-Lawyer Ven Pov to begin his examination of the witness Yun Kim…

Read more: CTM_Blog_6-20-12