The special court set up in Cambodia to try people accused of atrocities under the Khmer Rouge has ordered the release of the regime 's `` first lady , '' saying she 's unfit to stand trial . Ieng Thirith , who served as minister for social affairs in the Khmer Rouge regime during the 1970s , had been accused of crimes against humanity , grave breaches of the Geneva Conventions , genocide , homicide , torture and religious persecution . However , proceedings against her were halted in November last year after the Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia decided she could not face trial as she suffered from dementia . After seeking further medical assessment , the court issued a statement Thursday confirming the earlier diagnosis that Ieng Thirith suffers from a `` progressive , degenerative illness ( likely Alzheimer 's disease ) and remains unfit to stand trial . '' Judge resigns from court trying Khmer Rouge crimes . It added that medical experts confirmed that `` all treatment options have now been exhausted and that the accused 's cognitive impairment is likely irreversible . '' As a result , the court recognized she would be incapable of remembering or complying with any conditions -- but reminded her not to interfere in their investigations in any way and to remain in Cambodia . Khmer Rouge torture prison chief gets life sentence . Ieng Thirith , 80 , was one of four surviving leaders of the brutal regime facing prosecution -- the others being her husband Ieng Sary , the former Khmer Rouge foreign minister ; Khieu Samphon , the nominal head of state ; and Nuon Chea , the prime minister , also known as Brother Number 2 . They remain on trial . The head of the Khmer Rouge , Pol Pot , was known as Brother Number 1 . He died in 1998 , long before the U.N.-backed court came into existence . He had previously been married to Ieng Thirith 's sister , Khieu Ponnary . Under Pol Pot 's leadership , the Khmer Rouge regime was responsible for the deaths of millions of ordinary Cambodians during a four-year reign of terror that was eventually halted in 1979 by invading Vietnamese forces . In 1975 , the Khmer Rouge ordered people out of Phnom Penh , the capital , and other cities in Cambodia to work in the countryside . It is said to be responsible for about 1.7 million deaths , roughly a quarter of the population at the time . Its stated aim was to create a Communist utopia , but instead the regime forced Cambodians into what has been described as a living hell .
Khmer Rouge court in Cambodia upheld earlier diagnosis that Ieng Thirith has dementia . Court : Experts say accused 's cognitive impairment is 'likely irreversible ' Three others , include Ieng Thirith husband , face charges of crimes against humanity . U.N. regime 's the 1970s rule in the 1970s is blamed for Three deaths .