Cambodia ? Cambodia’s most senior surviving Khmer Rouge leader was arrested and charged with crimes against humanity on Wednesday – three decades after the murderous regime, in power from 1975-1979, left 1.7 million people dead through starvation, overwork and execution.

Khmer Rouge ideologist Nuon Chea, the top aide to late leader Pol Pot, was arrested at his home in northwestern Pailin near the Thai border and flown to Phnom Penh, where he was put in the custody of a U.N.-backed tribunal.

“Now the time has come for him to share his version of the history of Khmer Rouge before the court of law,” said Youk Chhang, director of the Documentation Center of Cambodia, an independent group researching Khmer Rouge crimes.

Police surrounded Nuon Chea’s home and served him with an arrest warrant after closing off surrounding roads. Officers then took the 82-year-old – who denies any wrongdoing – into custody, as his son and dozens of onlookers watched in silence.

“My father is happy to shed light on the Khmer Rouge regime for the world and people to understand,” said his son, Nuon Say.