Tribunal charges Khmer Rouge prison chief

Cambodia’s genocide tribunal charged the former chief of a Khmer Rouge torture centre with crimes against humanity today, marking the court’s first indictment against a leader of the communist group believed responsible for the deaths of 1.7 million people.

A statement issued by the co-investigating judges of the Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia said Kaing Guek Eav, also known as Duch, had been placed in “provisional detention” after being charged.

The suspect, whose name is also known as Kaing Khek Iev, headed the S-21 prison in Phnom Penh when the Khmer Rouge held power between 1975-79.