Ex-Khmer Rouge defend the dark past
Sam Soeurn, who is now a farmer, says he spent 15 years as a Khmer Rouge soldier
Local government and armed forces in Pailin are dominated by Khmer Rouge veterans
Local government and armed forces in Pailin are dominated by Khmer Rouge veterans5 October 2010
BBC News
The BBC's Guy De Launey travels to Cambodia's north-western Pailin province, a former Khmer Rouge stronghold, to meet veterans of the brutal regime.
Sam Soeurn pushes aside the ears of corn that grow in the fields over the dirt track from his house.
He looks more than his 62 years - though the farmer's weather-beaten skin and missing front teeth could account for that.
But he also seems content, smiling broadly at some of his 29 grandchildren as they lay the bricks for a new hen house.
Sam Soeurn pushes aside the ears of corn that grow in the fields over the dirt track from his house.
He looks more than his 62 years - though the farmer's weather-beaten skin and missing front teeth could account for that.
But he also seems content, smiling broadly at some of his 29 grandchildren as they lay the bricks for a new hen house.
