Please read this thread for a brief history of the #KhmerRouge. It permits critical lessons for an investigation of human behavior, ideology, beliefs and justice. I will continuously update it, as its implications are still valid, not only for #Cambodia but our lives today. (1/n)

The #KhmerRouge, a hardline- #communist regime, took power in Cambodia on 17.4.1975. In the regime’s pursuit of a classless agrarian society, at least 1.7 million people died in labor camps, prisons and killing fields due to torture, disease and starvation. (2/n)

The #KhmerRouge army was slowly built up in the jungles of Eastern #Cambodia during the late 1960s, supported by the North Vietnamese army, the #VietCong and the Communist Party of China ( #CPC). (3/n)

After Prince Sihanouk was overthrown in a 1970 military coup by General Lon Nol, who established the pro-US #KhmerRepublic, he leant on the #KhmerRouge for support. The princes’ approval legitimized the movement and allowed the KR to mobilize in the countryside.

Despite a massive American bombing campaign against the #KhmerRouge (which was the brainchild of Secretary of state Henry Kissinger and was kept secret from congress), they won the #Cambodian Civil War when they captured the #PhnomPenh and overthrew the Khmer Republic in 1975.

The #KhmerRouge were led by Pol Pot, Ieng Sary (who both studied in France and married sisters) Nuon Chea, Khieu Samphan. #PolPot’s best friend in high school was Lon Non, brother of General Lon Nol. He was executed within forty-eight hours.

Following their victory, the KR forcibly evacuated the country's major cities to create an agrarian utopia by forcing the population onto collective farms and banning money, traditional culture, schools and religion. #Cambodia became known as #DemocraticKampuchea.

Mass killings primarily targeted the middle class and intellectuals as well as ethnic Vietnamese and Cham Muslims. The #KhmerRouge wiped out up to one fifth of #Cambodia’s population at the time, causing scholars to coin the term “autogenocide”.

The #KhmerRouge’s formal control came to an end when Vietnam invaded the capital on Jan. 7, 1979. But even then, the #KR was seen a powerful challenge to Vietnamese influence in #Cambodia, and maintained support and military assistance from the U.S. and other Western countries.

From 1979-1990, the #KhmerRouge held onto its seat in the #UN-General Assembly, and was recognized as the only legitimate representative of Cambodia. When KR leader Pol Pot died in 1998, he had not faced justice in front of an international tribunal.

Today, many former #KhmerRouge personnel remain in power, including #PrimeMinister Hun Sen. Ruling #Cambodia since 1985, the leader of the communist Cambodian People’s Party is now the longest-serving prime minister in the world.

Read this thread for a detailed report on the events of 17 April 1975, the day when #PhnomPenh, #Cambodia fell to the #KhmerRouge. https://twitter.com/realtimeKR/status/1250976028647993345