LAPEL Christopher

Christopher Lapel appeared as a witness in Case 001, testifying on the character of Kaing Guek Eav alias Duch and his conversion to Christianity.¹ Relying on Lapel’s testimony, the Trial Chamber found that Duch had shown a constant and unusually strong level of commitment to his religious beliefs.²

Background and Role

Lapel is a Christian pastor at Golden West Christian Church in Los Angeles.³ He has been pastor for Cambodian Americans for twenty years.⁴ Lapel lost close friends at S-21 security centre and lost his parents, brothers and sister during the Democratic Kampuchea.⁵

Lapel met Duch for the first time in late December 1995 at Chamkar Samraong, Battambang, while participating in a training of religious leaders.⁶ Duch presented himself as Hang Pin and told Lapel he had sinned to such an extent that he did not think God could forgive him.⁷ On 6 January 1996, Lapel and pastor Dan Ellis baptized Duch at Sangke River, Battambang. Duch’s character seemingly changed after baptism, becoming a more peaceful and joyful person with a purpose in life.⁸ After two weeks of training, Duch became a church minister, founding a church with fourteen families in his village.⁹

In April 1999, a journalist working for the Associated Press called from Bangkok and revealed to Lapel Hang Pin’s true identity.¹⁰

Lapel met Duch again in June 2008 and forgave him for what he had done to his family.¹¹ He visited Duch in prison a few times after getting permission from the Court.¹² Lapel often came on Sundays to share the word of God, break communion, and pray.¹³ On occasion, Duch told him that he felt sorry for the crimes he had committed in the past and for the Cambodian people.¹⁴ Lapel was proud of Duch’s willingness to accept his crimes and punishment.¹⁵

Videos

Testimony
Date	Written record of proceedings	Transcript number
15/September/2009	E1/75	E1/75.1

Relevant documents
Document title Khmer	Document title English	Document title French	Document D number	Document E3 number
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