Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Khieu Samphan: Brother Number Nine
Khieu Samphan studied economics in Paris and some of his theories on self-reliance were
credited with inspiring Khmer Rouge economic policies. During the Sihanouk years of the
1960s, Khieu Samphan spent several years working with the Sangkum government and
putting his more moderate theories to the test. During a crackdown on leftists in 1967, he
fled to the jungle to join Pol Pot and Ieng Sary. During the DK period, he was made head
of state from 1976 to 1979. He is currently on trial as one of the accused in Case 002.
Comrade Duch: Commandant of S-21
Born Kaing Guek Eav in Kompong Thom in 1942, Duch initially worked as a teacher be-
fore joining the Khmer Rouge in 1967. Based in the Cardamom Mountains during the
civil war of 1970-75, he was given responsibility for security and political prisons in his
region, where he refined his interrogation techniques. Following the Khmer Rouge
takeover, he was moved to S-21 prison and was responsible for the interrogation and exe-
cution of thousands of prisoners. He fled Phnom Penh as Vietnamese forces surrounded
the city, and his whereabouts was unknown until he was discovered living in Battambang
Province by British photojournalist Nic Dunlop. The first to stand trial and be sentenced
in Case 001, Comrade Duch cooperated through the judicial process. He was sentenced to
life in early 2012.
