Court delays verdict for Noer Muis

JAKARTA: The human rights tribunal delayed on Friday its verdict on former East Timor military commander Brig. Gen. Noer Muis, one of 18 Indonesian nationals prosecuted for crimes against humanity in East Timor in 1999.

"The judges are yet to agree on the verdict. Accordingly, the tribunal will require more time," said presiding judge Andriani Nurdin to the court. The trial was adjourned until March 12.

She denied suggestions that the delay was triggered by the Serious Crimes Unit in East Timor's decision to indict seven TNI officers, including Noer Muis, with crimes against humanity.

Aside from Noer Muis, former Indonesian Military (TNI) chief Gen. (ret) Wiranto and former Udayana military commander Maj. Gen. Adam Damiri were also indicted.

Prosecutors have sought a ten-year jail sentence for Muis for his failure to prevent violence by pro-Jakarta militias that claimed the lives of hundreds of innocent people and drove around 250,000 East Timorese into refugee camps in West Timor.

The Indonesian ad hoc court has acquitted 11 defendants, sentenced three defendants to between three and ten years in jail, while three more are still awaiting their verdicts, including Muis. --JP