Since the recent announcement that Helen Jarvis would become head of the ECCC Victims Unit, the former court spokeswoman has come under increased scrutiny.

In today's Cambodia Daily, lawyers for defendant Nuon Chea said Jarvis' political beliefs were cause for concern, and cited an open letter she had signed in 2006 penned by the Leninist Party Faction.

The letter, which was signed by over 50 people, reads, "We too are Marxists and believe that 'the ends justify the means.' In time of revolution and civil war, the most extreme measures will sometimes become necessary and justified. Against the bourgeoisie and their state agencies we don't respect their laws and their fake moral principles."

The Daily goes on to quote lawyer Michiel Pestman: "I have my serious doubts that a person with these views is the right person to be one, an ethics monitor, and two, head of the victims unit. She is constantly minimizing and downplaying the issue of corruption at the court. She is always taking the view of the government. We are seriously worried."

The lawyers have said they will hold a press conference tomorrow. I assume they are planning to revisit Jarvis' appointment then.

I also received a very interesting link yesterday from a lawyer and fellow blogger. You can read his thoughts on the recent personnel shuffle here. He writes that the VU "appears to have fallen victim to political influences" and also questions whether Jarvis is an appropriate choice for her new job.