PHNOM PENH - The international side of the Khmer Rouge tribunal has transferred funding to the Cambodia side so that it can continue its operations, in the midst of an ongoing money crunch.
The $2 million will help the Cambodian side of the UN-backed court pay the salaries of its Cambodia staff, who have not been paid since December.
The money will come from pledges made to the international side of the hybrid court by Norway and Sweden, at $1 million each.
Tribunal spokesman Lars Olsen said the money was a temporary fix to prevent more staff from boycotting work.
“The intention is that the national side will have to pay this money back to the international budget,” Olsen said.
The money crisis comes as the court tries two former Khmer Rouge leaders—Nuon Chea and Khieu Samphan—in only its second case since it opened in 2006.
Donors have proven reluctant to continue funding the operations of the Cambodian side of the court, which has struggled under allegations of mismanagement and corruption.
The $2 million will help the Cambodian side of the UN-backed court pay the salaries of its Cambodia staff, who have not been paid since December.
The money will come from pledges made to the international side of the hybrid court by Norway and Sweden, at $1 million each.
Tribunal spokesman Lars Olsen said the money was a temporary fix to prevent more staff from boycotting work.
“The intention is that the national side will have to pay this money back to the international budget,” Olsen said.
The money crisis comes as the court tries two former Khmer Rouge leaders—Nuon Chea and Khieu Samphan—in only its second case since it opened in 2006.
Donors have proven reluctant to continue funding the operations of the Cambodian side of the court, which has struggled under allegations of mismanagement and corruption.
