PHNOM PENH - Lawyers for jailed Khmer Rouge leader Ieng Sary on Tuesday said he needs to take a break from upcoming hearings at the tribunal, following extensive hospitalization.
The court will continue with proceedings in his atrocity crimes trial, alongside two other former leaders of the regime, Nuon Chea and Khieu Samphan.
Ieng Sary, the former foreign affairs minister for the regime, was hospitalized on Sept. 7 due to exhaustion, though the illness behind his weakening health has not been detailed by court officials or medical personnel.
In a request sent to the UN-backed tribunal on Tuesday, lawyers for Ieng Sary, who is 86, said the court should continue with testimony from eight more witnesses and civil party participants, allowing him time to recover.
“The court can hear witnesses who are not connected directly” to Ieng Sary, his attorney, Ang Udom, said Tuesday.
Tribunal spokesman Neth Pheaktra said proceedings could continue in his absence.
The court will continue with proceedings in his atrocity crimes trial, alongside two other former leaders of the regime, Nuon Chea and Khieu Samphan.
Ieng Sary, the former foreign affairs minister for the regime, was hospitalized on Sept. 7 due to exhaustion, though the illness behind his weakening health has not been detailed by court officials or medical personnel.
In a request sent to the UN-backed tribunal on Tuesday, lawyers for Ieng Sary, who is 86, said the court should continue with testimony from eight more witnesses and civil party participants, allowing him time to recover.
“The court can hear witnesses who are not connected directly” to Ieng Sary, his attorney, Ang Udom, said Tuesday.
Tribunal spokesman Neth Pheaktra said proceedings could continue in his absence.
