Duch verdict disappoints by Magdalena Rosova

Cambodian former chief of Tuol Sleng prion was sentenced for 35 years for murder, rape, inhumane acts and torture and crimes against humanity. The tribunal was backed by the United Nations. Kaing Guek Eav, known as Duch, was senior member of the Khmer Rouge, Communist Party of Kampuchea, who were the ruling party in Cambodia from 1975 to 1979. The prison he led was a symbol of the horrors and terror of the communist regime that is blamed for the deaths of 1.7 million people. Duch is now 67 years old, originally he was a schoolteacher. He admitted that he oversaw the torture and killing of more than 14,000 people. Duch will serve only 30 years because he was illegally held b! y the Cambodian military between years 1999 and 2007. He showed no emotion in the court, while some Cambodians wept loudly as the verdict was read. Many people demanded life imprisonment for him and were not satisfied with the decision saying it was not fair. At least 12,273 people were killed in the Tuol Sleng prison. The president of the tribunal said that because of Duch's expression of remorse and his cooperation with the court as well as because of serious mitigating factors he was not given life imprisonment. It was the first verdict of the joint Cambodian court and it was watched by thousands of people all over the country. Duch, now born-again Christian, expressed remorse in the courtroom and asked for forgiveness. People hope that the verdict would help the country to move forward.

related story (sgx17899): http://www.rttnews.com/ArticleView.aspx?Id=1368170...
by Magdalena Rosova
for Cantell TV (http://cantell.tv)
Cantell TV is the fastest growing provider of digital broadcasting coupled with telecommunications, allowing people to easily control, view, upload and share digital content through proprietary interface coupled with free phone calls. Cantell TV is committed to delivering infinite choices to your world of entertainment at the tip of your fingers.