Belo to testify via TV link

JAKARTA: Nobel Peace prizewinner and retired East Timor bishop Carlos Ximenes Belo is due to testify this month to Indonesia's human rights court via a televised link, a court spokesman said on Monday.

"I have received information that Bishop Belo's testimony will be conducted through teleconference," Judge Andi Samsan Nganro told AFP.

Belo, who last week resigned as bishop, will give evidence in mid-December in the trials of former regional military chief Maj. Gen. Adam Damiri and ex-East Timor military chief Brig. Gen. Noer Muis, Andi said.

Both men are accused of responsibility for military-backed militia violence before and after East Timor's vote to break away from Indonesia in August 1999. The violence included an attack by pro-Jakarta militia on Belo's refugee-packed home in September which left 10 people dead.

Andi said he had no information on why Belo would not appear in person. -- AFP