10 years sought for rights defendants

10 years sought for rights defendants

JAKARTA: Human rights prosecutors on Wednesday demanded 10- year prison sentences for former Dili police chief Lt. Col. Hulman Gultom and former Dili military commander Lt. Col. Sujarwo for failing to prevent atrocities committed by militiamen three years ago.

Prosecutor Nasir Maksum said Hulman, 51, failed to anticipate and prevent an attack by pro-Indonesia militia on the refugee- packed house of independence activist Manuel Carrascalao on April 17, 1999.

"The defendant should have been able to prevent or at least anticipate the April 17, 1999 incident ... but as head of police operations in Dili, the defendant allowed it to take place," Maksum told the court.

He said 12 people were killed and many others wounded in the incident.

In a separate hearing, prosecutor Maju Ambarita said Sujarwo had failed to anticipate and prevent attacks on the refugee- packed Dili diocese office and residence of Dili Bishop Carlos Ximenes Belo in September 1999.

Prosecutors have said at least two people were killed at the diocese office while 13 others were slain in the bishop's residence.

Gultom and Sujarwo are two of 18 military and police officers, officials and civilians who have faced charges relating to gross human rights violations in April and September 1999. --AFP