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Top Khmer Rouge leaders guilty of crimes against humanity Top Khmer Rouge leaders guilty of crimes against humanity
(35 minutes later)
Two top Khmer Rouge leaders have been jailed for life after being convicted by Cambodia's UN-backed tribunal of crimes against humanity.Two top Khmer Rouge leaders have been jailed for life after being convicted by Cambodia's UN-backed tribunal of crimes against humanity.
Nuon Chea served as Pol Pot's deputy and Khieu Samphan was the Maoist regime's head of state. Nuon Chea served as regime leader Pol Pot's deputy and Khieu Samphan was the Maoist regime's head of state.
They are the first top-level leaders to be held accountable for its crimes.They are the first top-level leaders to be held accountable for its crimes.
Up to two million people are believed to have died under the Khmer Rouge - from starvation and overwork or executed as enemies of the state. Up to two million people are thought to have died under the Khmer Rouge from 1975-79 - of starvation and overwork or executed as enemies of the state.
The regime, in power from 1975-1979, sought to create an agrarian society. Judge Nil Nonn said the men were guilty of "extermination encompassing murder, political persecution, and other inhumane acts comprising forced transfer, enforced disappearances and attacks against human dignity''.
Cities were emptied and their residents forced to work on rural co-operatives. Many were worked to death while others starved as the economy imploded. The pair can appeal against the verdict but will remain in detention while this takes place.
'Anger remains'
The regime sought to create an agrarian society: cities were emptied and their residents forced to work on rural co-operatives. Many were worked to death while others starved as the economy imploded.
During four violent years, the Khmer Rouge also killed all those it perceived as enemies - intellectuals, minorities, former officials - and their families.During four violent years, the Khmer Rouge also killed all those it perceived as enemies - intellectuals, minorities, former officials - and their families.
Nuon Chea was seen an ideological driving force within the regime. Khieu Samphan was its public face.Nuon Chea was seen an ideological driving force within the regime. Khieu Samphan was its public face.
Prosecutors argued that they formulated policy and were complicit in its brutal execution.Prosecutors argued that they formulated policy and were complicit in its brutal execution.
Over three years the court has heard from some of those who lost entire families to the regime.Over three years the court has heard from some of those who lost entire families to the regime.
"My anger remains in my heart,'' Suon Mom, 75, whose husband and four children starved to death, told the Associated Press news agency."My anger remains in my heart,'' Suon Mom, 75, whose husband and four children starved to death, told the Associated Press news agency.
"I still remember the day I left Phnom Penh, walking along the road without having any food or water to drink.""I still remember the day I left Phnom Penh, walking along the road without having any food or water to drink."
Both men denied the charges against them. In closing statements last year, they expressed remorse but said they had neither ordered deaths nor been aware of them.Both men denied the charges against them. In closing statements last year, they expressed remorse but said they had neither ordered deaths nor been aware of them.
The pair also face a separate genocide trial. The case against them was split to accelerate proceedings, because of their age.The pair also face a separate genocide trial. The case against them was split to accelerate proceedings, because of their age.
Two other former Khmer Rouge ministers were to be tried with them.Two other former Khmer Rouge ministers were to be tried with them.
Ieng Sary, the former foreign minister, died in March 2013. His wife Ieng Thirith, who served as the regime's social affairs minister, has been ruled unfit to stand trial.Ieng Sary, the former foreign minister, died in March 2013. His wife Ieng Thirith, who served as the regime's social affairs minister, has been ruled unfit to stand trial.
Before this, former prison chief Duch was the only senior Khmer Rouge leader who had been held to account for the regime's crimes. Before this, former prison chief Duch was the only senior Khmer Rouge figure held to account, but he was not part of the regime's central leadership.
He was jailed in 2010 for running the Tuol Sleng prison, where thousands of people defined as enemies of the regime were tortured and killed.He was jailed in 2010 for running the Tuol Sleng prison, where thousands of people defined as enemies of the regime were tortured and killed.