Dili prosecutors seek Wiranto's arrest

Dili prosecutors seek Wiranto's arrest

DILI: Prosecutors in East Timor made a new attempt on Wednesday to bring former Indonesian Military (TNI) chief Gen. (ret) Wiranto to justice for alleged crimes against humanity in the territory in 1999.

They asked a judge in East Timor to hold a public hearing into their application for an arrest warrant for Wiranto, who was the TNI commander during the territory's bloody breakaway from Jakarta.

Last week top prosecutor Longuinhos Monteiro accused judges in East Timor of foot-dragging in granting arrest warrants for Wiranto and five others, who were indicted for crimes against humanity almost one year ago.

"From my point of view the problem is with the judges," Monteiro told AFP.

On Wednesday his deputy Nicholas Koumjian asked the judge for a public hearing "to determine whether there are reasonable grounds to issue an arrest warrant against General Wiranto."

He said Wiranto, who is a presidential candidate, could choose to attend a public hearing, send a lawyer or testify by video- link if he fears being arrested. -- AFP