A timeline of the Khmer Rouge regime and its aftermath

Miranda Leitsinger, CNN, and Casey Tolan, for CNN

Updated 0323 GMT (1123 HKT) April 17, 2015

Chat with us in Facebook Messenger. Find out what's happening in the world as it unfolds.

Cambodian and international journalists watch a live video feed showing the verdicts in the trial of former Khmer Rouge leader "Brother Number Two," Nuon Chea, and former Khmer Rouge head of state Khieu Samphan, August 7, 2014.
Photos: Cambodia's bloody past
Cambodia's bloody past – Cambodian and international journalists watch a live video feed showing the verdicts in the trial of former Khmer Rouge leader "Brother Number Two," Nuon Chea, and former Khmer Rouge head of state Khieu Samphan, August 7, 2014.
Hide Caption
1 of 16
A Cambodian man Khieu Samphan on a television during the trial at the Extraordinary Chamber in the Courts of Cambodia (ECCC) in Phnom Penh on August 7. He and Nuon Chea were found guilty of crimes against humanity and sentenced to life in prison.
Photos: Cambodia's bloody past
Cambodia's bloody past – A Cambodian man Khieu Samphan on a television during the trial at the Extraordinary Chamber in the Courts of Cambodia (ECCC) in Phnom Penh on August 7. He and Nuon Chea were found guilty of crimes against humanity and sentenced to life in prison.
Hide Caption
2 of 16
Known as Brother Number Two, Nuon Chea was considered Khmer Rouge leader Pol Pot's right hand man. This is an image from court in 2011.<br />
Photos: Cambodia's bloody past
Cambodia's bloody past – Known as Brother Number Two, Nuon Chea was considered Khmer Rouge leader Pol Pot's right hand man. This is an image from court in 2011.
Hide Caption
3 of 16
As the former head of state for the Khmer Rouge, Khieu Samphan occupied a number of key roles as the government tortured, starved and killed its people.
Photos: Cambodia's bloody past
Cambodia's bloody past – As the former head of state for the Khmer Rouge, Khieu Samphan occupied a number of key roles as the government tortured, starved and killed its people.
Hide Caption
4 of 16
This undated photo, which may have been taken in 1989, shows Pol Pot, the former leader of the Khmer Rouge. He was under house arrest when he died in 1998 and never faced charges for the slaughter under his reign.
Photos: Cambodia's bloody past
Cambodia's bloody past – This undated photo, which may have been taken in 1989, shows Pol Pot, the former leader of the Khmer Rouge. He was under house arrest when he died in 1998 and never faced charges for the slaughter under his reign.
Hide Caption
5 of 16
At least 1.7 million people were killed under the Khmer Rouge's brutal regime, which controlled Cambodia from 1975 to 1979. This photo shows open mass graves in 1979.
Photos: Cambodia's bloody past
Cambodia's bloody past – At least 1.7 million people were killed under the Khmer Rouge's brutal regime, which controlled Cambodia from 1975 to 1979. This photo shows open mass graves in 1979.
Hide Caption
6 of 16
Khmer Rouge guerilla soldiers wearing black uniforms drive into Phnom Penh in April 1975, as Cambodia falls under the control of the Khmer Rouge.
Photos: Cambodia's bloody past
Cambodia's bloody past – Khmer Rouge guerilla soldiers wearing black uniforms drive into Phnom Penh in April 1975, as Cambodia falls under the control of the Khmer Rouge.
Hide Caption
7 of 16
A woman cries next to a dead body in April 1975 in Phnom Penh, after the Khmer Rouge enter the Cambodian capital and establish the government of Democratic Kampuchea (DK).
Photos: Cambodia's bloody past
Cambodia's bloody past – A woman cries next to a dead body in April 1975 in Phnom Penh, after the Khmer Rouge enter the Cambodian capital and establish the government of Democratic Kampuchea (DK).
Hide Caption
8 of 16
Historical, undated photo of Nuon Chea. He held a number of positions during the regime's rule, including a short stint as acting prime minister.
Photos: Cambodia's bloody past
Cambodia's bloody past – Historical, undated photo of Nuon Chea. He held a number of positions during the regime's rule, including a short stint as acting prime minister.
Hide Caption
9 of 16