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Sao Sarun

Alias : Bai,1 NOU Sarun2

SAO Sarun (1931-Unknown) was Secretary of Pech Chenda (Pechreada) district and Secretary of Sector 105.

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

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Key Findings

Sao Sarun testified as a witness in Case 002/01 and Case 002/02 that he:
  • Received monthly reports from communes under his area of control as Secretary of Pech Chenda district on rice production, livestock, and the management of the locality in general. 12
  • Received instructions from the Party Centre by telegram on subjects such as farming. 13
  • Sent written reports on rice farming to the sector and regularly met with sector officials to report on the situations in his district. 14
  • Reported to and received instructions and information on a daily basis from Office 870, Pol Pot, and Nuon Chea and reported on the situation in his district at sector-level meetings. 15
  • Saw people being summoned to “study sessions” and never returning. 16
  • Spoke with Khieu Samphan about economic issues in the sector, including agricultural production and food rations. 17
  • The Trial Chamber in Case 002/02 considered that Sao Sarun’s testimony:
  • Volunteered few details of his own conduct, minimised his role, and tended to attribute exclusive responsibility to Pol Pot. 18
  • Was credible insofar as it concerned the Sector 105 reporting structures and practices. 19

Disclaimer

Sao Sarun 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

1931

Born in Koh Mayeul village, Peam Chi Meat commune, Koh Nhek district, Mondolkiri province.3

1954

Joined the revolution at Koh Mayeul village.4

1963

4 March
Joined the Communist Party of Kampuchea (“CPK”) at Ta Kak village.5

1970

After 1970
Worked as a soldier.6

1971

Before 1971
Became Deputy Secretary of Peam commune, responsible for the village militia and the economic affairs of the commune.7
Appointed Secretary of Pech Chenda district, a position he held until 1978.8

1974

Worked in the Foreign Relations Committee for Sector 105.9

1975

Became a member of Sector 105 responsible for health in the sector.10

1978

September
Appointed Secretary of Sector 105.11