Open Society Justice Initiative Hails Arrest of Former Khmer Rouge Leader

NEW YORK—The Open Society Justice Initiative today praised the arrest of former Khmer Rouge leader Nuon Chea by the Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia.

Nuon Chea, known as Brother Number Two during the Khmer Rouge period, was arrested on September 19, 2007, on charges of crimes against humanity and war crimes. He is the highest ranking surviving leader of the Khmer Rouge and the second former Khmer Rouge cadre to be charged by the Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia. He is now being held in provisional detention at the court's compound in Phnom Penh.

"The arrest of Nuon Chea is an important step forward for the [court]," said Robert O. Varenik, acting executive director of the Open Society Justice Initiative. "The people of Cambodia have been waiting to see tangible results from the court. This arrest is a sign that progress is being made."

"We now look forward to the arrests of other former Khmer Rouge leaders referred by the [court's] co-prosecutors," said Varenik. "Additional advances at the court, including getting the Victims Unit up and running, must follow this week's good news."