Top Khmer Rouge Leader Claims Ignorance

Former Khmer Rouge number two leader Nuon Chea speaks during an interview at his house at Pailin, Cambodia, on Tuesday September 18, 2007. On Wednesday September 19 police detained the top surviving leader of the Khmer Rouge over his role in the notorious former Cambodian regime that caused the deaths of 1.7 million people in the late 1970s. (AP Photo/Kyodo News) (AP)

Nuon Chea went on to supervise the inner workings of S-21 prison, where up to 16,000 people were tortured before being executed.

An estimated 1.7 million people died under the Khmer Rouge through starvation, illness, overwork and execution.

The Khmer Rouge was overthrown in 1979 and its leadership fled into the jungle. They surrendered in 1998 and Nuon Chea spent the years leading up to his arrest in relative seclusion.

A lawyer picked by the tribunal to represent Nuon Chea acknowledged he faced a "heavy burden" in defending his client.

"There are many things for me to do, many documents for me to research. This is a heavy burden, but I am happy to take up the job," said Son Arun, who said he met with Nuon Chea for the first time Thursday.

The tribunal is set up according to the Cambodian legal system, which takes French law as its model. Prosecutors present a case to investigating judges, who then decide whether or not to issue indictments, after which the cases are readied for trial.

Cambodia sought U.N. help to create a tribunal in 1997 and it took years of tough negotiations _ with Cambodia saying it was concerned about its sovereignty _ before the two parties signed a pact in 2003 agreeing to hold trials, which are now expected to begin early next year.

Nuon Chea is the second, and highest-ranking, Khmer Rouge leader held to appear before the panel.

Kaing Guek Eav, also known as Duch, who headed S-21, was charged on July 31 with crimes against humanity. Prosecutors have recommended three other suspects be indicted, but have not named them publicly.