SENG Lytheng
Pseudonym: 2-TCW-897
Cases: Case 002/02
Category: Witness
Background and role
Seng Lytheng is the nephew of Pol Pot, the late Brother Number One.
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In 1970, he joined the Khmer Rouge revolution as a soldier in Kampong Thom province.
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After 17 April 1975, he was sent to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and tasked with receiving Chinese diplomats and technicians
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before being assigned around 1978 to work as a messenger and bodyguard for Pol Pot at K-1.
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K-1 was Pol Pot’s residence on the riverside in Phnom Penh where important events and meetings of the Party Centre took place.
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Sen Lytheng testified before the Case 002/02 Trial Chamber as a witness about political study sessions lectured by Pol Pot and Nuon Chea, the identities of high-level Khmer Rouge cadres (including Khieu Samphan) whom Pol Pot summoned to K-1 for meetings, and the relations between Pol Pot and East Zone Secretary Sao Phim.
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Political study sessions taught by Pol Pot and Nuon Chea
As Pol Pot’s bodyguard, Seng Lytheng escorted him and guarded study session at Borei Keila in Phnom Penh where Pol Pot and Nuon Chea addressed participants through loudspeakers about farming, espionage and plans for dealing with enemies of Angkar.
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he could overhear their contents because they were conducted through loudspeakers.
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Unlike Nuon Chea, Pol Pot rarely opened and/or attended study sessions at zone, sector and district levels.
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The Trial Chamber relied on Seng Lytheng testimony, among other evidence, in finding that political study sessions were held before and during the Democratic Kampuchea period at the sector, district, zone or centre levels throughout the country and in Phnom Penh, particularly at the Olympic Stadium and Borei Keila to discuss revolutionary and economic policies, cooperatives, the mobilization of forces through the liberated zones, self-reliance and mastery as well as vigilance against internal and external enemies and self-criticism sessions.
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Identities of Khmer Rouge leadership at K-1
While Khmer Rouge senior leaders, Nuon Chea, Khieu Samphan and Ieng Sary, were always seen working with Pol Pot at K-1,
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Seng Lytheng recalled seeing other key figures come to K-1, including Sao Phim, Ta Mok (the Southwest Zone Secretary), Commerce Minister Koy Thuon and Central (Old North) Zone Secretary Ke Pauk, who succeeded Koy Thuon as the Zone Secretary from 1975 until 1979.
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From 1971 to 1974, Pol Pot, Nuon Chea and Khieu Samphan ate and worked together on a daily basis,
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and their meetings continued after the fall of Lon Nol regime on 17 April 1975.
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Seng Lytheng estimated around 20 people who worked at K-1, excluding guards.
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Relations between Pol Pot and Sao Phim
As Pol Pot’s messenger, Seng Lytheng was entrusted to hand Pol Pot’s letters entailing important affairs to Sao Phim, the East Zone Secretary.
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He took Pol Pot’s letters to Sao Phim three times in 1978.
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He also recalled taking gifts from Pol Pot to Sao Phim.
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Seng Lytheng explained to the Chamber that Pol Pot and Sao Phim were “very close to each other”.
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On one occasion, Seng Lytheng noticed that Pol Pot was very worried when Sao Phim had a rash on his skin.
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When asked by the Chamber if he noticed that at one point their relations broke off, Seng Lytheng said he was not aware of their internal affairs.
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