The Khieu Samphan defence yesterday responded to a litany of perceived violations of its client’s rights by saying that Samphan would refuse to answer any questions from parties or judges as Case 002/01 draws to a close.

“In such conditions, it seems established that before this Chamber, the lawyers of the defence are tolerated as window dressing ‘for the gallery’. . . in the sole interest of legitimising a simulacrum of a criminal trial,” the defence’s filing reads.

“In these conditions . . . He will limit himself to making a declaration at the end of the trial.” Samphan defender Arthur Vercken was censured yesterday for being “rude” in his refusal to stand as judges left the courtroom on Thursday – an action he characterised as a silent protest against having his microphone cut during a response.