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