Former chief ideologist Nuon Chea and former head of state Khieu Samphan were found guilty on Friday of genocide and given life sentences. Both had previously been convicted of other allegations, including crimes against humanity.
Under the terror regime of the ultra-Ottoman Khmer Rouge from 1975 to 1979, around two million people were killed by forced labor, famine, torture and executions – nearly a quarter of the total population. It was one of the worst crimes after 1945.
The Khmer Rouge Tribunal was co-ordinated by the Cambodian government with the United Nations. It started its work in 2006. The Special Tribunal found Nuon Chea guilty of genocide against the Cham Muslims and ethnic Vietnamese. Khieu Samphan was convicted of genocide against ethnic Vietnamese.
