Cambodia Khmer Rouge lawyers condemn 'interference'

PHNOM PENH (AFP) - Lawyers for a former Khmer Rouge leader accused of genocide urged Cambodia's United Nations (UN)-backed court on Wednesday to rebuke the country's foreign minister for allegedly meddling in the trial.

The defence team for "Brother Number Two" Nuon Chea made the request after Hor Namhong issued a statement earlier this month accusing them of trying to "politicise" the trial.

"Any reasonable observer in this country would understand the statement as an attempt to influence further testimony," Nuon Chea's lawyers wrote in a court filing posted online, calling for "a public condemnation".

Nuon Chea and his co-defendants, ex-foreign minister Ieng Sary and former head of state Khieu Samphan, deny charges including crimes against humanity and war crimes for their roles in a regime blamed for up to two million deaths.