Judges Expected To End Investigation of Five Leaders

Former KR leaders on trial. Above row from left: Kaing Kek Iev and Nuon Chea. Below row from left: Khieu Samphan, Ieng Sary, and Ieng Thirith

By Kong Sothanarith, VOA Khmer
Original report from Phnom Penh
05 January 2010

Judges at the Khmer Rouge tribunal are expected next week to announce an end to the investigation of senior leaders in custody, paving the way for a trial next year, officials said Tuesday.

Investigating judges Marcel Lemonde and You Bunleng “will announce the end of the investigation to parties by next week,” tribunal spokesman Reach Sambath said Tuesday.

The judges have been examining evidence in Case No. 002, which seeks to try Nuon Chea, Khieu Samphan, Ieng Sary, Ieng Thirith and Kaing Kek Iev, also known as Duch, for atrocity crimes.

The end of the investigation marks the beginning of a 30-day period for the defense to appeal the conclusions of the judges, before the case moves forward to trial.

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