Category: Cambodia

Ta Mok, a senior member of the Khmer Rouge, died this past Friday. He had been in custody since 1999, when he was caught near the border of Thailand-Cambodia with a small group of followers.

Ta Mok was one of several key members of the Khmer Rouge awaiting trial on charges of genocide and crimes against humanity for his involvement in several massacres in 1975. His trial was expected to begin next year.

Khieu Samphan, one of the chief architects behind the Khmer Rouge genocide, was seen leaving his house on Tuesday with a truck filled with houshold items. His family denies that he is fleeing the area.

Samphan’s sudden departure comes just one day after a UN appointed tribunal began gathering evidence on him. It is believed that nearly two million Cambodians were killed while he was head of state.