Former Khmer Rouge leaders to stand trial next year

Deputy to Khmer Rouge leader Pol Pot, Nuon Chea is expected to stand trial next year, along with former head of state Khieu Samphan, former Foreign Minister Leng Sary and his wife Leng Thirith.

The trial of the four figures, who are now all elderly and have been detained since 2007, is due to start in mid-2011, according to the tribunal. The health of 84-year old Leng Sary is deteriorating.

His 78-year old wife will be the first woman to fact the tribunal. She was the Khmer Rouge’s social affairs minister.

Second in Command Nuon Chea, 84, is believed to be the ideological driving force behind the regime, and considered responsible for its most radical policies.

Khieu Samphan, who is now 79, was one of the regime's few points of contact with the outside world.

All four have rejected the charges against them. Together, they should be capable of providing answers to questions which have confused Cambodians for years, namely why the policies of the regime resulted in the deaths of millions between 1975 and 1979. Over 2 million people died under their rule.

Such policies included the evacuation of cities, execution of those considered enemies of the revoluton and forced labour in rice fields.