Khmer Rouge prison chief 'shocked' by his past

[Coventina]

Source: AFP

PHNOM PENH (AFP) — A Khmer Rouge prison chief has told Cambodia's UN-backed war crimes trial that he was "shocked" when confronted with his bloody past and has prayed annually for forgiveness.

Kaing Guek Eav, better known as Duch, is on trial for overseeing the torture and extermination of 15,000 people who passed through the hardline communist movement's notorious Tuol Sleng prison, also known as S-21.

"When I arrived at S-21, I was shocked for the numerous things that happened there. I saw the victims or the survivors -- three of them -- who stood before me. What happened in the past came back into my mind," Duch said.

The 66-year-old was describing his visit with court investigators last year to the former prison, which now serves as a genocide museum, so that he could re-enact his crimes.



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[David__77]

1. Why shocked?

Wasn't he there? Doesn't he recall?

He made a life choice, to carry out certain actions because he at one time thought they were correct.

I do not respect it when people imply that they were either temporarily insane or some such drivel.

[damntexdem]

2. I'm shocked, shocked that there is gambling going on in Ric's place.

Now, my winnings please.

[caseymoz]

6. More like-- I'm shocked, shocked that there's concentration camp here-- that killed people!

It's a bit like what the Germans said.

[Bossy Monkey]

3. Annually? Well that's ok then. So long as he's shocked enough to pray for forgiveness annually

Maybe November 2, All Souls' Day, would be a good choice. (I don't have to add the sarcasm smilie, do I?)

[bitchkitty]

4. Oh, that's a novel defense. He forgot,

and when he remembered, he just couldn't BELIEVE he did those things.

[caseymoz]

5. Something might be getting lost in the translation, here.

If not, interesting he sees it that way. He's still a monster.