002/19-09-2007-ECCC-OCIJ ЮŲŠ / No: D427
542.
Some prisoners were transferred from other subdistrict level security offices to Prey Damrei
Srot
2344
militia.
whilst others were sent there directly after having been arrested by district level
2345
Former detainees and guards recall that prisoners were escorted to Prey Damrei
Srot on foot with their arms tied behind their backs.2346 Witnesses understood that people
were arrested for moral offences,2347 because they were political enemies2348 or for minor
offences, such as stealing food.2349 There were some degrees as to the gravity of the
offences committed that led to prisoners being treated differently according to whether they
had committed light or serious offences.2350
543.
The detention facility was a long hall with a roof of palm leaves and prisoners slept on long
boards on both side of the aisles.2351 Men, women and children were all detained in the
same room.2352 Prisoners were kept under strict guard control,2353 shackled and not
permitted to move freely2354. Witnesses state that the food was insufficient and that some
detainees were emaciated.2355 Former guards and prisoners confirmed that many detainees
died because of starvation, disease or exhaustion.2356 A military medic came on a regular
basis to examine the prisoners.2357
544.
According to [REDACTED] and another witness only light prisoners were taken out to
work during the day.2358 However, several former guards and prisoners state that all of the
detainees worked but that the heavy offenders worked whilst in chains whilst the light
prisoners worked with only guard supervision.2359 Prisoners worked inside and outside the
prison compound constructing dams and digging canals.2360 Daily working hours were from
6 am to 11 am and from 1 pm to 5 pm and sometimes at night.2361 Guards beat and illtreated the prisoners when they were considered too slow and some were beaten to
death.2362 Two witnesses state that prisoners were executed by the guards whilst
working.2363
Interrogation
545.
Some of the prisoners were interrogated during their detention at Prey Damrei Srot.2364
Prisoners were interrogated on allegations of being enemies such as CIA or KGB, former
officials of the Khmer Republic regime, moral offenders or of being connected to the
Vietnamese.2365 Some of the detainees interrogated were not subjected to any
mistreatment.2366 However, both former detainees and guards attest that the prisoners were
seriously mistreated during interrogation; they were beaten with clubs and whips, they were
suffocated with plastic bags until unconscious; or they had their nails pulled out and their
fingers broken.2367 Some died during interrogation as a result of this mistreatment.2368
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.
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