Jailed Khmer leader treated at hospital

Jailed Khmer leader treated at hospital

PHNOM PENH (AFP): Jailed Khmer Rouge leader Ta Mok, known as "The Butcher", was taken to hospital and received treatment for high blood pressure before being returned to his prison cell, his lawyer said on Wednesday.

The doctor who saw the former Khmer Rouge military chief at the hospital, Song An, said: "He walked as usual, although with a stick, and said he felt dizzy. We found his blood pressure was high. I gave a prescription for medicine."

Asked whether Ta Mok's condition was serious the doctor said he was not in a position to make a judgment, but added "the blood pressure can be dangerous because he's old."

Lawyer Benson Samay said last week that Ta Mok had gone insane and was also so ill with heart and stomach ailments that he could not stand.