002/19-09-2007-ECCC-OCIJ ЮŲŠ / No: D427
512.
Many of the witnesses interviewed by investigators remember either witnessing executions
carried out at Kraing Ta Chan, or seeing the bodies of the victims.2222 Executions were
carried out in many different locations in and around Kraing Ta Chan, including in the
detention buildings, in the interrogation room, and at the side of graves that victims had
been forced to dig moments before their execution.2223 One witness recalls that there were
so many bodies buried in the region of the prison that he would sometimes uncover bodies
while planting coconut trees.2224
513.
Three witnesses give detailed accounts of seeing executions being carried out. Prisoners
were blindfolded and then hit at the base of the neck with a blunt weapon such as a cart axel
or digging hoe. When they fell over, a sword was used to cut their throat. Young children
were killed by having their heads bashed against the trunk of a tree.2225
514.
Victims’ bodies were buried in and around the Kraing Ta Chan compound.2226 Either those
who were about to be executed dug their own pits, or other prisoners were ordered to dig
them.2227 One former prisoner was made to dig one to two 3m long x 1.5m deep pits per
day. Each pit would hold between 30 and 60 bodies.2228 In 1979, one witness, a subdistrict
chairman, took part in the exhumation of graves in the area. He stated that eight pits were
exhumed out of which 10,045 skulls were recovered. He recalls that many other pits were
left untouched.2229 Another witness says that approximately 17,000 skulls were counted.2230
A DK-era report from Kraing Ta Chan’s chairman to the district notes that until that date
[unknown], they had smashed 15,000 enemies. This suggests that the total number of those
killed at Kraing Ta Chan was greater than 15,000.2231
***
515.
Eleven (11) civil parties were declared admissible with regards to Kraing Ta Chan Security
Center,2232 since the alleged crimes described in the application were considered as being
more likely than not to be true, pursuant to Internal Rule 23 bis (4). These civil parties have
provided sufficient elements tending to establish prima facie personal harm as a direct
consequence of the crimes committed at Kraing Ta Chan Security Center.
Koh Kyang Security Centre2233
ņĕĀБũ₤ĕʼnЊ₤НŠ ЮŁйŠŏ₣
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.
133
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