Former Foreign Minister Ieng Sary, one of four former Khmer Rouge cadres charged by the U.N.-backed court with crimes against humanity and war crimes, said he would refuse to speak during his upcoming trial, but gave no reason.

"I will not testify, including answer any question put to me, during any trial," Ieng Sary, 86, said in a statement.

Opening statements are due to be heard on November 21 in the trial of the four most senior surviving members of Pol Pot's Khmer Rouge -- Ieng Sary, "Brother Number Two" Nuon Chea, former President Khieu Samphan and former social affairs minister, Ieng Thirith.

Ieng Sary's vow of silence will be a blow to many Cambodians who hoped the testimony of the four defendants would offer some insight into the motives and ideology of one the world's most mysterious and murderous regimes.

An estimated 1.7 million Cambodians died of torture, execution, disease or starvation from 1975-1979 under the Khmer Rouge.

Reuters