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Former Khmer Rouge rebels found guilty of British man's murder
Four former Khmer Rouge rebels were sentenced up to 20 years in prison on Tuesday for their involvement in the murder of a British mine-clearing expert 12 years ago.
- AP
- Published: 11:30 October 14, 2008
Phnom Penh: Four former Khmer Rouge rebels were sentenced up to 20 years in prison on Tuesday for their involvement in the murder of a British mine-clearing expert 12 years ago.
The convictions and sentences came after an investigation of more than a decade into the killing of Christopher Howes, who worked for Mines Advisory Group, a Britain-based humanitarian mine-clearing organisation.
A fifth accused man was acquitted by Judge Iv Kim Sri, but no reason was given.
All five, who had pleaded not guilty, went on trial last week in Phnom Penh on charges of premeditated murder and illegal confinement.
"We are pleased that the murderers of Christopher and Hourth have been brought to account," Howes' sister, Patricia Phillips, said in a statement distributed through Mines Advisory Group representatives.
Howes and his Cambodian interpreter, Houn Hourth, were abducted in March 1996 by Khmer Rouge rebels, along with other Cambodian co-workers, while clearing mines near Angkor Wat, the famous 12th century temple complex in the country's northwest.
Three of the five defendants testified that two other Khmer Rouge guerrillas, now believed dead, were responsible for the murder of Howes and the interpreter.
They said a commander named Khem Tem ordered another man called Rim to shoot Howes in the head while he was sitting on a mat eating fruit. The rebels then cremated Howes' body on a pile of wood doused in diesel.
The court heard that little was known about the killing of the interpreter, who got separated from Howes and was shot dead by a Khmer Rouge guerrilla in another remote village.
One of the defendants, Khem Ngun, admitted that he was responsible for transporting Howes to the execution site, but denied he had prior knowledge of a plan to kill him.
Khem Ngun, Loch Mao and Put Lim were present when Howes was executed in the middle of the night in Anlong Veng, the court was told. They were each sentenced to 20 years in prison and ordered to pay compensation of US$10,000 to the families of the two victims.
Sin Dorn was convicted of being involved in the early stages of the abductions and was sentenced to 10 years.
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