Court Hears Another Day of Split Testimony

On Wednesday, August 8, 2012, the Trial Chamber continued hearing the testimony of two intellectuals who returned to Cambodia during the Democratic Kampuchea period in Case 002 against accused Nuon Chea, Khieu Samphan, and Ieng Sary at the Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia (ECCC). Witness Suong Sikoeun was examined by counsel for the civil parties, a member of the bench, and Khieu Samphan’s defense team in the morning, while witness Ong Thong Hoeung was examined by the prosecution in the afternoon.

All parties were present in the courtroom, except Ieng Sary, who was in his holding cell. Trial Chamber Nil Nonn granted Ieng Sary’s request to follow the day’s proceedings from his holding cell due to his health issues.

After court was called to order, President Nonn began the day by addressing a request by Nuon Chea’s defense team to submit new documents to be used during the examination of a witness. President Nonn stressed that applications under Rule 87.4 have to be timely, explaining that a document related to a particular witness has to be filed two weeks before the witness starts testifying. President Nonn noted that the defense’s request was filed less than a week in advance of the witness’s scheduled testimony. After stating that Nuon Chea’s team did not provide enough information for the Chamber to judge whether the request could have been discovered earlier, President Nonn denied their request.

President Nonn gave the floor to Civil Party Co-Counsel Ferdinand Djamman Nzepa to continue his examination of the witness Suong Sikoeun…

Read more: CTM_Blog_8-8-12