Minimum jail term sought for Abilio<\/p>\n
Tertiani ZB Simanjuntak, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
Ad hoc Human Rights Tribunal prosecutors demanded on Thursday the
\nminimum sentence of 10-and-a-half years jail for former East
\nTimor governor Abilio Soares who is charged with failing to
\nprevent violence surrounding the independence vote in Indonesia's
\nformer territory in 1999.<\/p>\n
Abilio is the first of 18 defendants to hear the prosecutors'
\nsentence demands for alleged crimes against humanity. The court
\nwill bring down its verdict after hearing Abilio's defense
\nstatement on July 18.<\/p>\n
Gross human rights violations carry a maximum penalty of
\ndeath.<\/p>\n
Prosecutor I Ketut Murtika wrapped up the trial which he said
\nhad convincingly proved its case against Abilio.<\/p>\n
The defendant is accused of letting his subordinates,
\nincluding two regents and the administration-funded pro-Jakarta
\nvoluntary militia (Pamswakarsa), commit murder and assault as
\npart of widespread and systematic violence against civilians.<\/p>\n
The pro-Indonesian integration militia went on a rampage
\nagainst the rival pro-independence camp before and after the UN-
\nadministered vote for independence. The UN estimates at least
\n1,000 East Timorese were killed during the violence.<\/p>\n
Prosecutors said they demanded a slightly heavier sentence
\nthan the minimum 10 years in jail, due to Abilio's dedication as
\na public servant in East Timor for 23 years, his manners during
\nthe trial and the fact that he had never been imprisoned before.<\/p>\n
"As the incriminating factors, the defendant had caused public
\nunrest, committed gross human rights violations and he showed no
\nremorse during the trial," Murtika's colleague Harry Ismi said.<\/p>\n
Defense lawyer Lucas told reporters after the hearing that
\nnone of the witnesses can directly link Abilio to the murders. He
\nsaid the defendant was an "East Timorese hero, who should be
\nexonerated of all charges".<\/p>\n
Indonesia has come under international pressure to address
\npast human rights abuses involving the military.<\/p>\n
Human rights activists and observers have expressed doubt that
\nthe ongoing rights tribunal will be more than just a masquerade
\nto avoid further embargoes on military supplies and equipments.<\/p>\n
In a separate hearing of former East Timor police chief Brig.
\nGen. Timbul Silaen, two top policymakers from East Timor
\ntestified that Jakarta was responsible for security in the former
\nIndonesian province as stated in the tripartite agreements with
\nthe UN and Portugal on the preparations of the Aug. 30 popular
\nballot.<\/p>\n
Asked whether the government had given appropriate response to
\nthe UN decision to expedite the announcement of the ballot result
\nfrom Sept. 7 to Sept. 4, former coordinating minister for
\npolitical and security affairs Gen. (ret) Feisal Tanjung
\ntestified that no contact had been made with East Timor
\nauthorities.<\/p>\n
Another witness, former foreign minister Ali Alatas, told the
\ncourt that the then president B.J. Habibie had offered a "no"
\noption for the East Timorese, besides the special autonomy status
\nin the former province because the East Timor issue had hampered
\nthe country's diplomatic efforts.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/minimum-jail-term-sought-for-abilio-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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