profile

Ruos Nhim

Alias : MOUL Sambath,1 RUOS Nheum, ROS Nhim, RHOS Nhim2

RUOS Nhim (1922-1978) was Secretary of Northwest Zone, Second Deputy Chairman of the State Presidium, and member of the Central and Standing Committees. He was detained at S-21 and subsequently executed.

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

https://backend.eccc.gov.kh/uploads/rous_nhim_detail_da0619146f.png

Key Findings

The Trial Chamber in Case 002/01 and Case 002/02 found that Ruos Nhim:
  • 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.” 10
  • Regularly met with Party leaders, including Nuon Chea, to discuss the implementation of CPK policies. 11
  • Attended Standing Committee meetings with other senior CPK leaders, where matter of political line, foreign affairs, commerce and trade, national defence, social affairs, economic affairs, and the plan to evacuate cities were discussed. 12
  • Convened a meeting to inform the top chiefs that they had been accused as traitors and to beware of arrests, which was followed by the arrests of all Northwest Zone cadres and their family members. 13
  • Reported to the Party’s upper echelon on food shortages and poor living conditions and requested for instructions regarding the treatment of former Khmer republic soldiers and the Vietnamese. 14
  • Ordered the execution of soldiers and civil servants of the Khmer Republic at Tuol Po Chrey. 15
  • Visited Trapeang Thma Dam on multiple occasions and provided detailed reports about the living and working conditions in the Zone to Office 870. 16
  • Cooperated with the Party’s upper echelon in the arrests of Northwest Zone soldiers ordered by Son Sen. 17

Disclaimer

Ruos Nhim 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

1922

Born.3

1960

After 2 October 1960
Sent to restore former Issarak networks in Battambang following the First Party Congress in Phnom Penh.4

1974

June
Met other CPK leaders in Meak village in Prek Kok commune to discuss plans for the final assault and evacuation of Phnom Penh and other urban centres.5

1977

12 August
Informed Angkar 870 that the ready-made intravenous fluid being provided to patients caused reactions but were not dangerous.6
December
Accompanied the Chinese Vice-Premier, Chen Yonggui, on his visit to the Trapeang Thma Dam construction site.7

1978

Before 17 May-14 June 1978
Cooperated with the Party Centre in the purges in his own zone ordered by Son Sen and continued to fully implement the policies of the Party Centre.8
17 May-14 June 1978
Arrested along with his deputy secretaries, sent to S-21, and later executed.9