Chou Chet
CHOU Chet (1926-1978) was Secretary of the West Zone and alternate member of the Central Committee. He was interrogated by Duch 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 002/01 and Case 002/02 found that Chou Chet:
- Was a member of a joint criminal enterprise with CPK leaders with the common purpose to “implement rapid socialist revolution through a ‘great leap forward’ and defend the Party against internal and external enemies, by whatever means necessary.” 12
- Regularly reported to Office 870 on the enemy situation. 13
- Held meetings in his Zone concerning implementation of the Party’s line and attended meetings with other senior leaders at which the Party line was discussed and decided upon. 14
Disclaimer
Chou Chet 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
1926
Born.3
1950
Joined the Issarak movement.4
1955
February
Operated the new party, Pracheachon (the People’s Group), with Sao Phim and Ney Sarann, headed by Keo Meas.5
1963
Early March 1963
Named as one of the 34 suspected leftists in a list published by Norodom Sihanouk.6
1970
May
Received vice-ministerial portfolios as Vice-Minister of Public Health and Religious and Social Affairs of the Royal Government of the National Union of Kampuchea (“GRUNK”).7
1975
After 17 April 1975
Became a member of the Southwest Zone Committee and later Secretary of the West Zone.10
1978
26 March
Arrested, sent to S-21, and later executed.11
Related Documents
Closing Orders
- Case 002 Closing Order, D427: Part One: Factual Findings, I. Historical Background; VIII. Factual Findings on Crimes; IX. Roles of the Charged Persons.
Judgments
- Case 002/01 Judgment, E313; 5. Administrative Structures; 14. Joint Criminal Enterprise.
- Case 002/02 Judgment, E465: 3. Historical Background; 5. Administrative Structures; 10. Cooperatives; 12. Security Centres, Execution Sites, and Internal Purges.
Evidence
- GRUNK Publication Cambodia’s Seat in the United Nations, 19 June 1973, E3/28.
- CPK Report, 1 October 1974, E3/1108.
- Foreign Broadcast Information Service Collection of reports for January 1975, E3/30, ERN (En) 00166707.
- S-21 List of Prisoners, undated, E3/10510.
- S-21 Confession of CHOU Chet alias Sy, 20 May 1978, E3/1682.
- Revolutionary Flag, May-June 1978, E3/727, ERN (EN) 00185333.