Blunk's departure is only the latest setback for the court, which has consistently faced allegations of political interference and has completed only one trial [JURIST report] since its inception in 2001. Last week, HRW demanded the resignation [JURIST report] of Blunk and his counterpart You Bunleng of Cambodia, who are responsible for indictments. HRW alleges that the two investigating judges have "egregiously violated their legal and judicial duties ... [by failing] to conduct proper and good-faith investigations [in violation of] their responsibilities to act impartially." The rights group said that the two judges "failed to conduct genuine, impartial, and effective investigations into ECCC cases 003 and 004," and that as a result both of those case will likely be dropped. Both cases deal with allegations of atrocities committed under the Khmer Rouge regime. In April, the judges declared that they had concluded their investigation into Case 003 [materials] and a formal closing order is expected to be issued soon. The judges are also expected to close and dismiss Case 004 [materials]. Should closing orders be issued in either case, the prosecutor can appeal to the pre-trial chamber. The Khmer Rouge have been blamed for the deaths of some 1.7 million people [PPU backgrounder] from starvation, disease, overwork and execution between 1975 and 1979.