Ex-Khmer Rouge minister out of hospital
1 hour, 8 minutes ago
PHNOM PENH, Cambodia - A former Khmer Rouge foreign minister returned
to detention under Cambodia's U.N.-assisted genocide tribunal after
spending nearly a week hospitalized for a urinary tract problem,
officials said Sunday.
Ieng Sary was discharged from the hospital Saturday evening and
returned to his cell at the tribunal's custom-built compound, said
tribunal spokesman Reach Sambath.
Ieng Sary is one of five former high-ranking members of the Khmer
Rouge who were taken into custody last year, and are now awaiting
trial in connection with the deaths of an estimated 1.7 million people
through execution, overwork and starvation when the group held power
from 1975-79.
Many victims of the Khmer Rouge have long feared some of the
defendants, now aging and infirm, could die before facing trial.
"Doctors have told us he is fine, and he is now back in detention" at
the tribunal, Reach Sambath said.
Ieng Sary's lawyer, Ang Udom, said his client's health condition "has
improved."
Ieng Sary was hurried to Calmette Hospital -- Cambodia's best medical
facility -- on Monday last week after urinating blood. It was the
second hospital visit in 10 days by the 82-year-old former Khmer Rouge
foreign minister, who also has a history of heart trouble.
Ieng Sary and his wife, Ieng Thirith, who was minister for social
affairs in the Khmer Rouge government, are both held pending trial on
charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity.
The couple have appealed against their detention, but the tribunal has
not yet set dates for hearings.
Nuon Chea, the Khmer Rouge main ideologist, was confronted by a
genocide survivor last week in a hearing on his appeal against
pretrial detention. Judges are expected to announce a ruling on his
appeal in coming days.
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