By Anne Barrowclough in Sydney and Luke Hunt in Phnom Penh
Times Online
The Khmer Rouge's former prison chief asked a war crimes court today to acquit and release him in a surprise development at the end of his nine month trial.
Kaing Gwek Eav, also known as Duch had already admitted responsibility for overseeing the murders of over 15,000 men, women and children when he was director of Pol Pot's most notorious prison, Tuol Sleng between 1977 - 1979.
Earlier this week Duch, who is being tried for crimes against humanity, war crimes, torture and murder, had spoken of his "excruciating remorse" for the atrocities committed on his orders at the interrogation centre. He apologised to his victims as he has repeatedly throughout his trial.
Today however, he asked that he be released, claiming he should be acquitted because he was not a senior member of the Khmer Rouge hierarchy.
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