First person charged by UN-backed Cambodia court appeals against detention

29 August 2007 – The first person to be charged by the United Nations-backed tribunal in Cambodia trying Khmer Rouge leaders accused of mass killings and other crimes three decades ago has appealed against an order for his provisional detention.

Kaing Guek Eav, also known as Duch, was charged last month with crimes against humanity over his role as chief at the S21 prison in the capital, Phnom Penh, during the Khmer Rouge's rule in the 1970s, when hundreds of thousands of people were killed or died from starvation, forced labour and ill treatment.

The Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia (ECCC) said in a statement that Mr. Kaing's lawyers had lodged notice of appeal against the provisional detention order and the case file had been sent to the Pre-Trial Chamber to “deal with the matter expeditiously.”

Mr. Kaing was placed in provisional detention on 31 July after the charges were issued.

Under an agreement signed by the UN and Cambodia, the trial court and a Supreme Court within the Cambodian legal system will investigate those most responsible for crimes and serious violations of Cambodian and international law under Khmer Rouge rule between 17 April 1975 and 6 January 1979.