Tribunal Prosecutor Replacement Delayed

By Kong Sothanarith, VOA Khmer
Original report from Phnom Penh
26 August 2009

Officials at the UN-backed Khmer Rouge tribunal say they won’t be able to replace Robert Petit, who resigned his post as international prosecutor earlier this year, by the Sept. 1 deadline.

Petit had been instrumental in the initial stages of the tribunal, as five former leaders of the regime were arrested and prepared for trial.

He had been a proponent for indictments for more Khmer Rouge leaders beyond the five already in detention, but met with resistance from his Cambodian counterpart, Chea Leang, who has argued that more indictments could destabilize the country.

Petit, who is from Canada, left the tribunal for personal reasons, earlier this month.

Lars Olsen, a legal officer for tribunal, told reporters Wednesday it was “clear” a new candidate would not be moved into his place by Sept. 1.