Sou Met

Related Case(s) : 003

Alias : SOU Samet¹

SOU Met (1948-2013) was the Commander of the Democratic Kampuchea Air Force (Division 502). He was named as a suspect in Case 003 and died during the judicial investigation.

Explore the Khmer Rouge hierarchy to understand his role in the secretive system.

Drag

1948

30 April

Born in Srae Andoung village, Peam Rar commune, Kampong Tralach district, Kampong Chhnang province.²

1975

Before 1975

Commanded Division 1 of the RAK.³

April 1975-January 1979

Served as Commander of Division 502 (Air Force), was a member of the General Staff, and oversaw Kampong Chhnang Airfield.⁴

2008

20 November

Named in the Co-Prosecutor’s Second Introductory Submission.⁵

2013

14 June

Died in Sangkat Ratanak, Battambang.⁶

Charges

All allegations dismissed on 2 June 2015 following his death.

Key Findings

Both Co-Investigating Judges in the Case 003 Closing Orders found that Sou Met:

Was an assistant to the Central Committee. ⁸
Was Commander of the CPK’s air force (Division 502). ⁹
Attended meetings with Son Sen and Meas Muth and reported to the upper echelon on the agricultural production in his area of responsibility. ¹⁰
Was involved in the purge of his own Division 502. ¹¹
Was involved in the purge of East Zone soldiers. ¹²

The International Co-Investigating Judge in the Case 003 Indictment found that Sou Met:

Participated in a meeting to discuss the need for internal purges according to three categories: “the dangerous” who had to be killed without exception, “ordinary liberals” who required re-education, and those “incited by the enemy” who needed refashioning. ¹³
Participated in the purge of his own Division 502, as well as others, including Divisions 170, 310, and 450, and provided support to Meas Muth in the purge of Division 117 such as aeroplanes, and received Division 164 soldiers for tempering at Kampong Chhnang Airport. ¹⁴

Counsel

N/A