Abuse of Timor militiamen probed

Abuse of Timor militiamen probed

AUSTRALIA: Australia's army said on Wednesday it would investigate allegations that Australian soldiers mistreated East Timor militiamen after it led an intervention force to the territory in 1999.

Three former militiamen interviewed by Australia's SBS television station have alleged they were hit, their faces were covered with faeces and they were exposed to a nest of wasps. They also claim that one man with them in a group of six has not been seen again.

Lt. Gen. Peter Leahy, the head of the army, pointed out that the claims were unsubstantiated and had not been reported to the UN Serious Crimes Unit in East Timor.

However, he said they would be investigated.

Records showed three of the six men had been held by Australian troops in 1999 but had been released, he said. The army had no record of the other three men. -- AFP