Former leaders of the Khmer Rouge, who are now facing trial for charges of genocide in Cambodia, have expressed their regret over atrocities committed by the regime during their trial this week.
Nuon Chea, the organisation’s main ideologist,and "brother number two", expressed “condolences” and said on Thursday,
"I am responsible for what happened during the time of Democratic Kampuchea".
"I am very regretful for events that happened intentionally and unintentionally. I am morally responsible".
Also on trial was Khieu Samphan, the group’s former head of state, who responded to those testifying that they had lost family members to the regime. He stated,
"I feel extremely sorry for the disappearance and extremely brutal killing of your father".
Yet he insisted that he did not know about "the atrocities committed by the military commanders and leaders", adding the perpetrators "must be brought to justice".
He went on to say,
"I cannot bear responsibility for those actions".
"I was not aware of the heinous acts committed by other leaders that caused tragedy for the nation and people".
