East Timor's chief prosecutor wants arrest warrant for Wiranto
East Timor's chief prosecutor wants arrest warrant for Wiranto
revoked
Associated Press
Dili
East Timor's chief prosecutor has asked judges to revoke an
arrest warrant for Indonesian presidential candidate Gen. Wiranto
over the 1999 violence in the half-island nation, saying
prosecutors needed to further review the case.
Longuinhos Monteiro described the warrant issued by the UN-
backed special tribunal earlier this week as "premature."
"My men have jumped the gun and it was a stupid move,"
Longuinhos Monteiro said, referring to the UN-backed special
prosecutors in his office who issued Wiranto's warrant earlier
this week.
"I've filed a letter, not to close the case, but to revise
it," Monteiro said in a press statement received on Thursday.
Wiranto headed Indonesia's army when East Timor voted for
independence after 24 years of Indonesian rule, sparking a
rampage by militia, which had close links with troops, that
killed 1,500 people and destroyed much of the infrastructure.
He has denied any wrongdoing, saying the indictment was an
effort to undermine his candidacy in upcoming presidential
elections in Indonesia.
East Timor's political leaders have said they would not
support the case against Wiranto, arguing that improving
relations with their giant neighbor is more important than
seeking justice for the victims.
Last year, UN prosecutors working in the tiny nation indicted
Wiranto for his alleged command responsibility for "murder,
deportation and persecution" committed during the violence.
East Timor became the world's newest nation in 2001 after a
period of transitional rule by the United Nations. The world body
still keeps a small peacekeeping force, provides technical
assistance and funds efforts to bring those responsible for
crimes against humanity to justice.
Wiranto is running for president in Indonesia's July 5
election.
Recent polls have suggested that he trails far behind the
front-runner in the race, former Coordinating Minister for
Security Affairs Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, and incumbent
President Megawati Soekarnoputri.