Up to 2 million people died in Cambodia under the Khmer Rouge; Samphan was one of its most fearsome heads. While Khieu Sampan now admits atrocities happened, he maintains he had no idea of the true extent. “In the Khmer Rouge regime, the head of state is under the discipline of the party,” he explains. But few believe him. “I don't believe you could be a leader and not know that people under your supervision were killing people,” states victim Chhit Bun Hoeu. It seems that Samphan may have a tough job convincing the jury that ignorance makes him innocent.