Khmer Rogue headmen: we’re not criminals

GlobalPost

Is anyone still holding out for an apology from the now frail and elderly Khmer Rogue leadership?

Again in court today, the top-tier leaders of the communist regime portrayed themselves as misunderstood heroes.

Their 1975-79 regime — accused of causing 1.7 deaths in Cambodia and the wholesale extermination of all who failed to exemplify Marxist ideals — was not run by "bad people," according to No. 2 Khmer Rogue leader Nuon Chea.

In court today, according to the AP, he said "I don't want the next generation to misunderstand history. I don't want them to believe the Khmer Rouge are bad people, are criminal … nothing is true about that."

Also pending today is the likely release of the Khmer Rogue's most senior-ranking female leader, 79-year-old Ieng Thirith, deemed by courts to be too senile to stand trial, reports the Phnom Penh Post.

Will you support The World with a monthly donation?

Every day, reporters and producers at The World are hard at work bringing you human-centered news from across the globe. But we can’t do it without you. We need your support to ensure we can continue this work for another year.

Make a gift today, and you’ll help us unlock a matching gift of $67,000!