Cambodia to appeal Khmer Rouge officer acquittal

July 21, 2000
Web posted at: 9:22 a.m. HKT (0122 GMT)

PHNOM PENH, Cambodia (Reuters) -- The Cambodian government will appeal against the acquittal of a former Khmer Rouge rebel officer charged with kidnapping and murdering three tourists in 1994, diplomats said on Thursday.

"We have just been informed that the Cambodian government has decided to appeal against the Chhouk Rin decision," Australian charge d'affaires Paul Grigson told reporters after meeting foreign ministry officials.

"We welcome the quick action that's been taken," he said. No timeframe for the appeal had been discussed, he said.

A senior Khmer Rouge commander in the southern province of Kampot, Chhouk Rin was acquitted on Tuesday under an amnesty offered to all Khmer Rouge forces who complied with a July 7, 1994, law outlawing membership in the organization.

Chhouk Rin was charged in January for his role in the murders of Briton Mark Slater, Frenchman Jean-Michel Bracquet and Australian David Wilson after an attack on a train in southern Cambodia. Thirteen Cambodians also were killed.

The three young tourists were seized during the attack on the train, taken to a nearby rebel stronghold and killed weeks later.

French Ambassador Andre-Jean Libourel said he hoped justice would prevail.

"We all hope justice will be done. We think it's possible, and we hope it's what's going to happen," he told reporters.

Australian Foreign Minister Alexander Downer said on Wednesday he was deeply concerned about the result of the trial and Australia would raise its concerns with the Cambodian government.

France said it had voiced its surprise to the Cambodian government over the acquittal.

Another former Khmer Rouge officer, Nuon Paet, received a life sentence in June 1999 for his role in the murders. Additional suspects remain at large.

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CIA -- The World Factbook 1999 -- Cambodia
Lonely Planet - Destination Cambodia
United Nations
Cambodia Mission to the UN
CIA -- The World Factbook 1999 -- Cambodia
The Khmer Rouge regime (Yale)

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