Khmer Rouge killer seeks pardon

Posted 11 hours 57 minutes ago, www.abc.net.au

 

 

A former Khmer Rouge commander jailed for life for his involvement in the killings of three Western backpackers, including an Australian, is seeking a royal pardon on the grounds of ill health.

Five years ago former Khmer Rouge commander Chhouk Rin was put behind bars for his role in the abduction and murder in southern Cambodia of three Western backpackers in 1994, one of whom was Australian David Wilson.
The three Westerners were taken to a nearby Khmer Rouge stronghold where they were held for two months, before being killed when a ransom payment collapsed.
Chhouk Rin's lawyer told the Phnom Penh Post newspaper he will ask Cambodia's king to pardon his client on the grounds that he is in poor health.
But it seems unlikely a pardon will be granted.
Under Cambodian law anyone serving a life sentence must complete 20 years before they can be considered for release.

Tags: law-crime-and-justice, crime, australia, cambodia