Sao Phim

Alias : SO Phim, Chhon, Phim or Phoem¹ Brother Phim or Bang Phim,² Brother Pho³

SAO Phim (1925-1978) was Secretary of the East Zone, First Deputy Chairman of the State Presidium, and member of the Standing and Central Committees of the Communist Party of Kampuchea (“CPK”). He committed suicide prior to his capture by the CPK.

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

Key Findings

The Trial Chamber in Case 002/01 and Case 002/02 found that Sao Phim:

Was a member of a joint criminal enterprise with CPK leaders with the common purpose to “implement rapid socialist revolution through a ‘great leap forward’ and defend the Party against internal and external enemies, by whatever means necessary.” ¹³
Was a trusted member of the CPK, who received numerous visits from NUON Chea and Pol Pot in the East Zone. ¹⁴
Regularly attended Party Centre meetings in Phnom Penh or in his Zone and was in regular communication with the Standing Committee members, updating it on issues such as enemies, medical supplies, the military situation at the Vietnamese border. ¹⁵
Participated in meetings where the political line, foreign affairs, commerce and trade, national defence, social affairs, economic affairs agricultural, and the plan to evacuate cities were discussed. ¹⁶
Frequently exchanged telegrams with the Party Centre discussing the conflict with Vietnam and specific problems encountered by RAK. ¹⁷
Directly controlled military units during the evacuation of Phnom Penh. ¹⁸
Ordered attacks against the Vietnamese pursuant to Pol Pot’s orders and aided the purge of the East Zone. ¹⁹
Reported to Pol Pot and Nuon Chea on mass transfers of Cham from the East Zone to the North Zone. ²⁰
Informed Pol Pot of the fight with Vietnam in the East Zone and later informed Office 870 about Vietnamese attacks on the rubber plantation and his direction to organise a combat force. ²¹

Disclaimer

Sao Phim was not a suspect, charged person, or accused in any proceedings before the ECCC. Therefore, the findings of the Extraordinary Chambers cannot be equated to findings of guilt against him.

Some information may be sourced from confessions which were obtained under torture. The reliability of such information should be treated with caution. See Decision on Evidence Obtained Through Torture.

Drag

1925

Born.⁴

1940

Fought the French as a former Issarak guerrilla chief.⁵

1951

August

Became a founding member of the Vietnamese-inspired Khmer People’s Revolutionary Party (“KPRP”).⁶

1960

30 September-2 October

Appointed as candidate member of the Standing Committee at the First Party Congress in Phnom Penh and became Commander of the East Zone armed forces.⁷

1963

February

Elevated to full rights member of the Standing Committee at the Second Party Congress.⁸

1974

June

Met other CPK leaders in Meak village in Prek Kok commune to discuss plans for the final assault and evacuation of Phnom Penh and other urban centres.⁹

1977

Became Deputy of CPK’s Military Committee and oversaw one of the two field command posts in the East Zone, during which he was a trusted member of CPK and received numerous visits from Nuon Chea and Pol Pot.¹⁰

December

Welcomed and accompanied a Chinese delegation, including Chinese Vice-Premier Chen Yonggui, to a visit to the East Zone.¹¹

1978

2 or 3 June

Committed suicide prior to his capture outside Phnom Penh.¹²