The Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia for the Prosecution of Crimes Committed during the Period of Democratic Kampuchea or The ECCC [1] began the first public hearing on March 30 of Kaing Guek Eav, known as Duch [2]. During the Khmer Rouge regime, Duch headed the infamous Tuol Sleng prison in Phnom Penh where thousands died.
The proceedings’ webcasts are available through the Cambodia Tribunal Monitor [3]; the first segment is below:
Pineapple [4] asks questions about how S-21, the Tuol Sleng prison of which Duch was in charge, fits into the larger meaning of the trial:
S-21 as the distillation of what was at the core of the Khmer Rouge regime rather than a tourist concern? A costly exercise in being seen to be doing something about the 1975-79 period? Rather than the 1970-79 or 1979-93 years. I would guess that an examination of the past could become a little tricky if the dates are changed.
Meanwhile, KI Media [5] posted a story from the Phnom Penh Post revealing Duch may soon confess at the trial.
Details are Sketchy has compiled mainstream media coverage of the trial here [6].
The ECCC's invitation to the public sessions is available here [7]. Duch's trial continues on March 31, 2009.