S-21 Survivor Testifies at Cambodian Tribunal

29/06/09

One of the few survivors of the Khmer Rouge regime's main torture centre has appeared at the UN-backed tribunal.

https://p.dw.com/p/Ls9D

Van Nat is one of only a handful of people to survive the horrors of the S-21 prisonImage: AP

Van Nath, who is now one of Cambodia's top artists, said he was allowed to live only because he painted propaganda pictures of the communist movement's leader, Pol Pot.

The 63-year-old is the first survivor to testify at the trial of former jail Chief Duch, whose real name is Kaing Guek Eav.

Duch headed the notorious S-21 prison in Phnom Penh from 1975-1979 and is accused of presiding over the torture and execution of some 15,000 people.

He is charged with war crimes, crimes against humanity, torture and premeditated murder. He faces a life sentence.

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S-21 Survivor Testifies at Cambodian Tribunal

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Disha Uppal finds out more about Van Nath’s testimony from correspondent Guy De Launey in Phnom Penh