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| The Khmer Rouge is blamed for the deaths of at least 1.7 million Cambodians [Reuters] |
April 1975: Khmer Rouge forces led by Pol Pot capture Phnom Penh. The new government declares the start of Year Zero as it begins a forced relocation to the countryside in their drive to build their vision of an agrarian utopia.
A four-year reign of terror follows that leaves an estimated 1.7 million Cambodians dead.
December 1978: Vietnam invades Cambodia overthrowing Pol Pot government and installing new regime.
Twelve years of civil war follow pitting the Khmer Rouge, nationalists and royalists against each other.
1993: National elections take place following the signing of a UN sponsored peace deal.
1994: The Cambodian government outlaws the Khmer Rouge.
July 25, 1997: Pol Pot is convicted of treason in a show trial organised by disgruntled Khmer Rouge officials.
1998: Anlong Veng, the Khmer Rouge's last stronghold, falls to government forces.
April 15, 1998: Pol Pot dies in a jungle hideout on the run from Cambodian forces.
March 6, 1999: Ta Mok, the last of the top Khmer Rouge rebels, is arrested and accused of genocide.
May 10, 1999: Cambodian authorities arrest Kaing Guek Eav - better known as Duch - for his role as head of the Khmer Rouge S-21 interrogation centre.
2003: United Nations and Cambodian negotiators agree to an international tribunal for former Khmer Rouge leaders.
2006: Cambodia's highest judicial body approves 17 Cambodian and 13 international judges and prosecutors for the Khmer Rouge tribunal.
July 21, 2006: Ta Mok, known as "The Butcher", dies before appearing in front of the tribunal.
July 31, 2007: Duch is transferred to custody of the UN trubunal.
September 19, 2007: Top Khmer Rouge leader Nuon Chea, known as "Brother Number Two", is arrested.
November 12, 2007: Former Khmer Rouge social affairs minister Ieng Thirith is arrested along with her husband, former Khmer Rouge e leader Ieng Sary.
November 19, 2007: Former Khmer Rouge leader Khieu Samphan is arrested.
February 17, 2008: Duch becomes the first former Khmer Rouge official to face trial before the UN tribunal.
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