The President of the Trial Chamber of the Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia today issued a memo informing the Director of the Office of Administration that he is not recommending the appointment of a second Trial Chamber panel to hear the remaining charges in the second phase of Case 002.
This follows on a recommendation from the Supreme Court Chamber that the President “avail himself of the existing possibilities” to form a second panel to try Case 002/02 with a view to expediting proceedings, which was discussed during last week’s Trial Management Meeting.
In his memo, the President took into consideration legal uncertainties regarding the appointment of a second panel as well as the time that would be required for its establishment and preparation for the case before concluding that the appointment of a second panel would be less expeditious than proceeding with the existing bench that is already familiar with the case.
The President informed the Director of Administration that the Trial Chamber would accordingly issue as soon as possible a Workplan for Case 002/02, setting out the major stages and activities necessary prior to the commencement of the substantive hearing in Case 002/02.
In Case 002, Nuon Chea and Khieu Samphan face charges of genocide, crimes against humanity and grave breaches of the 1949 Geneva Conventions. The first phase of trial against them was completed with closing statements in October 2013 and its judgment is expected in the second quarter of 2014.
Case 002/02 to be heard by the current Trial Chamber panel
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