Khmer Rouge official on appeal denies complicity in genocide

Khieu Samphan, the last living member of former Cambodian leader Pol Pot’s inner circle, was the former head of state for the Khmer Rouge, the name popularly used by the CPK, which ruled Cambodia with an iron fist from 1975 to 1979. He denied his complicity in the genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes committed under the Khmer Rouge government in a final statement to end his appeal of a 2018 verdict. Prosecutor Brenda Hollis argued the evidence showed Khieu Samphan publicly supported and promoted Khmer Rouge policy and was present at top planning meetings. A verdict on his appeal is not expected until next year but, in any case, Khieu Samphan is already serving a life sentence on another conviction on crimes against humanity connected with forced transfers and disappearances of masses of people.