002/19-09-2007-ECCC-OCIJ ЮŲŠ / No: D427 452. The interrogators used several forms of torture to extract confessions from the detainees. According to Duch, four methods were authorized: blows, electric shocks, a plastic bag over the head, and pouring water into the nose.1969 However, it appears that other forms of ill-treatment were used in addition to these four methods, including some which, according to Duch, were forbidden at S-21. Thus, fingers and toenails of persons undergoing interrogation were punctured and removed;1970 at least one prisoner was allegedly fed excrement and others were forced to drink their urine;1971 a cold water and fan technique was used;1972 as well as a technique consisting of undressing prisoners and applying an electric current to their genitals and ears.1973 The practice of forcing detainees to pay homage to dogs with the head of Ho Chi Minh or of Lyndon B. Johnson1974 was considered by the Trial Chamber in Case 001 as having caused deep humiliation and severe mental distress in the Cambodian cultural context.1975 Furthermore, Vann Nath remembers seeing a guard take a prisoner to a crossbeam, hang him from a rope and immerse his head in a water jar .1976 Duch and the interrogators also used propaganda, scorn, bluffing and threats in order to obtain confessions.1977 453. The physical consequences of torture and ill-treatment during interrogations (lacerations, bleeding, contusions, bruising, loss of consciousness, removal of fingernails and toenails) were so visible that almost all former employees of S-21 who were interrogated admitted that, even though they were not personally present at torture sessions, they knew that such acts were being committed.1978 In some instances, physical suffering was such that it resulted in the prisoners’ death.1979 Duch acknowledges that such extreme cases did happen, adding that he organised a study session to address the situation.1980 454. The use of ill treatment during interrogations was aimed at obtaining a “complete” answer, including the crimes of which the prisoner was accused and the names of other presumed enemies of the regime.1981 With regard to Vietnamese prisoners, Duch adds that the objective was to obtain confessions to prove that “Vietnam had invaded Cambodia with a view to integrating it into an Indochinese federation”.1982 Unlike interrogations of Cambodian prisoners, interrogations of Vietnamese prisoners were often tape-recorded and were then broadcast over the radio for propaganda purposes.1983 The interrogation of Vietnamese prisoners was also aimed at obtaining military information.1984 455. The primary function of S-21 was to extract confessions from detainees that would help uncover other networks of potential traitors. Duch states that “the content of the confession [was] the most important work of S-21”.1985 Most often, these confessions were in the form Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia, National Road 4, Choam Chao, Dangkao Phnom Penh Mailing address: P.O. Box 71, Phnom Penh; Tel: +855(0)23 218914 Fax: +855(0) 23 218941. 117