Mourners mass for cremation of Khmer Rouge leader

Hundreds of mourners massed on Thursday ahead of the cremation of a co-founder of Cambodia’s Khmer Rouge, highlighting the stark divide between supporters and victims of the brutal communist regime.

Former Khmer Rouge foreign minister Ieng Sary, 87, died last week while on trial for war crimes and genocide, cheating Cambodians of a verdict over his role in the regime’s 1975-1979 reign of terror.

About 500 people – including relatives, former Khmer Rouge fighters and chanting monks – gathered for a ceremony on Thursday morning, with more people expected to attend the cremation at about 6.00pm.

Many people in the crowd that gathered in Ieng Sary’s hometown of Malai close to the Thai border wore black and white mourning dress, and black ribbons pinned to their chests.

“He is a hero for the people of Malai,” said former Khmer Rouge cadre Long Run, 78, describing the Khmer Rouge co-founder as a “patriot” who defended the country from Vietnamese invaders.

“I was shocked when I heard he was dead. We’re sorry that we lost him now,” he told reporters as he paid his respects at Ieng Sary’s home in Malai, a small bustling town where ex-Khmer Rouge cadres sell goods in a local market.