002/19-09-2007-ECCC-OCIJ ЮŲŠ / No: D427 receiving any medicine.900 Some CPK troops took property from people as they travelled from Phnom Penh.901 240. Witnesses refer to seeing corpses along the road902 of people who had been shot dead.903 People were killed along the road for small things such as not wanting to abandon their bicycles.904 Although some witnesses state that they did not see any mistreatment by CPK soldiers against civilians905 or that they did not see anyone die along the road,906 Ieng Sary states that 2,000 to 3,000 people died during the evacuation of Phnom Penh.907 Return to Phnom Penh 241. One witness states the CPK would threaten people that they would be shot if they returned to Phnom Penh.908 Nuon Chea stated that the intention was to permit people to return to Phnom Penh909 and Ieng Sary stated in May 1977 that the cities were re-populated after the initial population movement to the countryside,910 and that people could choose to return to the city if they wished or could remain in the countryside.911 However, although there was indication that in rare circumstances some people were sent back to Phnom Penh to work,912 the city was largely empty of people except for limited numbers of soldiers and cadres913 until the fall of the CPK regime.914 According a statement by Pol Pot at a meeting on 6 June 1976, the population of Phnom Penh was then “more than 100,000”.915 As of April 1977, this included 43,810 provided rations by the General Staff.916 Reasons Given to the Population for the Movement 242. During the movement of the population from Phnom Penh, the people were often told by the CPK troops that they would only be away from their homes for a short time of two917 or three days,918 or up to a week or two.919 243. In addition, several witnesses state that the CPK troops told them that it was necessary to leave Phnom Penh for their personal security920 and so that the troops could identify921 or eliminate922 Lon Nol soldiers, or otherwise find the enemy.923 There was also reference to the anticipated American bombing of the city,924 although there are also indications that some people present did not believe this.925 There is also reference to justifications for the movement of people from the city because CIA agents intended to deploy spies to launch a counterattack.926 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. 64