Chan Chakrei

Alias : Mean, Comrade Mean¹

CHAN Chakrei (Unknown-1976) was Commander of Division 170 of the Revolutionary Army of Kampuchea (“RAK”). He was suspected of being responsible for early unrest against the CPK, detained at S-21, and subsequently executed.

Explore the Khmer Rouge hierarchy to understand his role in the secretive system.

Key Findings

The Trial Chamber in Case 002/02 found that Chan Chakrei:

Was arrested after being implicated in subversive activities, which triggered a continuing cycle of arrests, torture, confessions, and executions of East Zone cadres at the hands of Central and Southwest Zone Cadres. ⁷
Was referred to by Son Sen as “a main network who has a contact with both imperialists and revisionists” and “an old enemy buried inside.” ⁸
Was described in an issue of Revolutionary Flag as the “despicable Chakrei” and listed with other individuals who had associations with the CIA or Vietnamese. ⁹

Disclaimer

Chan Chakrei was not a suspect, charged person, or accused in any proceedings before the ECCC. Therefore, the findings of the Extraordinary Chambers cannot be equated to findings of guilt against him.

Some information may be sourced from confessions which were obtained under torture. The reliability of such information should be treated with caution. See Decision on Evidence Obtained Through Torture.

Drag

1975

Became Commander of Division 170.²

Before 17 April 1975

Abandoned his post.³

1976

20 May

Implicated in several torture-tainted confessions and arrested for his subversive activities.⁴

June-October

Extensively interrogated at S-21.⁵

After October 1976

Executed at S-21.⁶