Foreigners, Minorities Died at Prison: Duch

By Heng Reaksmey, VOA Khmer Original report from Phnom Penh15 June 2009
At least 400 foreigners and minorities, including Arab and Pakistani Muslims, were killed at the Tuol Sleng torture center of the Khmer Rouge, the prison’s chief administrator told tribunal judges Monday.
Monday’s testimony by the prison chief, Duch, 66, came as the tribunal ruled not to release him on bail.
He is facing charges of war crimes, crimes against humanity, torture and murder, but not genocide. Under the Khmer Rouge, minority groups like the Cham Muslims suffered as the ultra-Maoist regime sought to create a pure society and an agrarian utopia.
Its efforts left up to 2 million dead of starvation, disease, overwork and execution. Duch oversaw the deaths of up to 16,000 people, historians say, though prosecutors are charging him with 12,380 deaths.
In a June 15 decision, the Trial Chamber rejected a request for Duch’s pre-trial release.