KR commander appeals conviction

Chhouk Rin is appealing against a life sentence for murder and abduction

Judges at a Cambodian appeal court have cast doubt on the testimony of a former Khmer Rouge commander during his appeal against a life sentence for the murder of three backpackers.

Chhouk Rin appeared before judges for a one-day hearing on Monday - he has remained free while the appeal was under consideration.

The verdict will be announced on 5 November.

Chhouk Rin's lawyers secured the retrial after successfully arguing there had not been enough time to prepare their client's case.

He was found guilty in-absentia last year for involvement in the abduction and killing of the three travellers from Britain, Australia and France.

I did not get involved in the attacks. I knew nothing about it Chhouk Rin Former KR commander

Mark Slater, David Wilson and Jean-Michel Braquet were seized in an attack on a train nine years ago.

They were killed when ransom negotiations with the government failed.

Thirteen Cambodians were also killed when the train was ambushed.

At Monday's hearing Chhouk Rin told the court: " I did not get involved in the attacks. I knew nothing about it. I was in hospital."

But the Appeal Court Judges suggested that his evidence was contradictory, because, at the trial of one of his Khmer Rouge superiors, Chhouk Rin had admitted sending 20 men to join the attack.

Chhouk Rin was taken to hospital and put on a drip, after falling ill during Monday's hearing.

A close associate said he had developed a fever as a result of thinking too much about the incident.

Two Khmer Rouge commanders, senior to Chhouk Rin, are already serving life sentences over the deaths.