CHEAM Soeur

Cheam Soeur was called as a witness to testify on the functioning of S-21.

Chiem Suor was forced to join the Khmer Rouge army in 1973 to work in a local militia at the age of 12. In 1975, he was sent to military training in Preaek Hour, Ta Khmau, before being assigned to work as an outside guard at S-21 under the supervision of Hong and later Peng. As a witness, Chiem Suor described the working conditions as a warder in S-21. He worked for 12 hours per night and had to attend self-criticism meetings every three or seven days. While on guard duty, Chiem Suor recalled hearing vehicles entering S-21 once every three or four days and also hearing the screams of detainees who were tortured. He recounted an incident when he saw a foreign prisoner being burnt alive with car tyres within the S-21 compound. Chiem Suor told the Trial Chamber that he was afraid during his time as a guard at S-21: "I was afraid because I did not know whether I was making mistakes. I was afraid of being arrested like the others". Chiem Suor had learnt that his supervisor Hong was arrested and jailed at S-21. He identified Duch as "the big boss, supervising or administering all the units at S-21", and saw him at S-21 while working as a guard there.

A lawyer assisted Chiem Suor in case an issue of self-incrimination arose.