The Mirror, Vol. 11, No. 534
“Phnom Penh: The fourth important person among five people whose names are on the list of the Khmer Rouge tribunal – Mr. Ieng Sary and his wife [Ieng Thirith] – were arrested on the morning of 12 November.
“Mr. Ieng Sary, who is known as the former Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Democratic Kampuchea regime, and his wife Ms. Ieng Thirith, the former Minister of Social Affairs and Labor and President of the Red Cross, were arrested.
“In the early dark morning, officials, including military police and police from the Ministry of Interior, surrounded the quiet house of Mr. Ieng Sary opposite the Russian Embassy, behind Wat Svay Popeae in Tonle Basak, Chamkar Mon. Some of the people, who live near Mr. Ieng Sary’s house, were astonished and affirmed that they had not even known where Mr. Ieng Sary’s house is there, because they seldom saw people getting in or out of the house. However, on the day of the event, many officials went there, the people were astonished and they asked the officials, then they knew that the officials came there to arrest Mr. Ieng Sary and his wife.
“Though Mr. Ieng Sary’s house was surrounded since the early morning until 9:20 a.m. when Ieng Sary and his wife were taken out, no one protested or prevented the arrest at his house.
“The arrest of Mr. Ieng Sary and his wife at this time is based on an arrest warrant by the Khmer Rouge Tribunal co-investigating judges – Mr. You Bunleng, and Mr. Marcel Lemonde who is French.
“Before taking Mr. Ieng Sary and his wife from the house at 9:20 a.m., the two co-prosecutors read the warrant, and encouraged Mr. Ieng Sary and his wife not to be frightened. The officials did not handcuff them, but led them to enter a police car from the Ministry of Interior, with the black glass windows closed.
“The car carrying Mr. Ieng Sary and Ms. Ieng Thirith arrived at the tribunal at 9:40 a.m..
“Mr. Reach Sambath, the Khmer Rouge tribunal spokesperson, told Kampuchea Thmey that arresting Mr. Ieng Sary and his wife at this time is based on an arrest warrant by co-investigating judges, for questioning and investigating them.
“Mr. Reach Sambath said that the co-judges accuse Ieng Sary of war crimes and crimes against humanity. As for Mr. Ieng Sary’s wife Ms. Khiev Thirith, she is accuse of crimes against humanity.
“However, Mr. Reach Sambath said that the co-judges have not yet made an indictment officially, because at present, it is still a process of questioning and investigating.
“Mr. Ieng Sary and his wife are of high age, and both of them are not very healthy. Mr. Reach Sambath said that they have sicknesses related to old age, but at the time when officials took them to the tribunal, both of them were still actively healthy. However, they are under strict supervision by the tribunal.
“Mr. My Meak, the Pailin Deputy Governor, told Kampuchea Thmey on 12 November that he and other people are surprised why he has to be taken to court, because Mr. Ieng Sary had received an amnesty from the former king,.
Brief history of Ieng Sary and his wife
“Mr. Ieng Sary was born in 1930 in Traninh, Khmer Kampuchea Krom in Southern Vietnam, and Ms. Khiev Thirith was born in 1922.
In 1950, Mr. Ieng Sary received a scholarship to study in France, and he became a member of the French Communist Party. He married Ms. Khiev Thirith, called Ieng Thirith in France, while they were at school.
In 1957 Ieng Sary worked as a teacher at the Kampuchabot High School.
In 1963, Ieng Sary entered the jungle to join the resistance movement, and he became the military commander of the Eastern region.
In 1976, Ieng Sary was appointed as First Deputy Prime Minister in charge of foreign affairs, then he became also a member of the Central Committee and a permanent member of the party.
In 1996, Ieng Sary controlled his forces in Malai, which was aq Khmer Rouge stronghold after Pailin.
“It is remembered that Pol Pol, known as Brother Number 1 of the Democratic Kampuchea regime, was Ieng Sary’s older brother-in-law. Ms. Khiev Thirith, Mr. Ieng Sary’s wife, is the younger sister of Ms. Khiev Ponnary, who was Pol Pot’s wife. This relationship shows that important leaders of the Democratic Kampuchea regime – the Killing Fields regime – were related to Pol Pot.” Kampuchea Thmey, Vol.6, #1491, 13.11.2007
Newspapers Appearing on the Newsstand:
Tuesday, 13 November 2007
Chakraval, Vol.15, #2730, 13.11.2007
- Drunken Karaoke Actor Heng Dary Drove Car and Hit Two Ciclos from Behinh; Eight People Injured [Meanchey, Phnom Penh]
Kampuchea Thmey, Vol.6, #1491, 13.11.2007
- Ieng Sary and Ieng Thirith Detained in Separate Rooms
- Kandal Court Releases Suspect of Raping His [16-year-old] Daughter [reason not known]
Koh Santepheap, Vol.40, #6191, 13.11.2007
- Man Rapes His Two [underage] Daughters 16 Times [he is arrested – Chamkar Leu, Kompong Cham]
- Drunken Man Burns Neighbors’ House [he is arrested – Takhmao, Kandal]
Moneaksekar Khmer, Vol.14, #3310, 13.11.2007
- Many Citizens Will Vote in 2008, This Will Bring Important Changes
Rasmei Kampuchea, Vol.15, #4435, 13.11.2007
- Ieng Sary and His Wife [Ieng Thirith] Arrested and Sent to Khmer Rouge Tribunal
- Samdech Dekchor Hun Sen Opened Angkor Museum in Siem Reap
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