Khmer Rouge chief torturer says sorry

[From The Straits Times 1/4/09, Prepared by Marcus Lau]

Duch, the man at the heart of the Khmer Rouge’s mass killing machinery, confessed in court to role in crimes at S-21 prison, expressing regret. He admitted his role and expressed “deep regretfulness and hatred sorrow” for “serious crimes that cannot be tolerated” on the second day of his formal trial. He headed the notorious S-21 prison where at least 14000 people were sent to their deaths during the four years of Khmer Rouge rule. About 1.7 million Cambodians died of starvation or overwork or by execution during its rule.