LAPEL Christopher
Pseudonym: D7
Cases: Case 001
Category: Witness
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.
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Lapel often came on Sundays to share the word of God, break communion, and pray.
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On occasion, Duch told him that he felt sorry for the crimes he had committed in the past and for the Cambodian people.
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Lapel was proud of Duch’s willingness to accept his crimes and punishment.
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Videos
| Date | Written record of proceedings | Transcript number |
|---|---|---|
| 15/September/2009 | E1/75 | E1/75.1 |
| Document title Khmer | Document title English | Document title French | Document D number | Document E3 number |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| None |