More officers indicted in E. Timor

More officers indicted in E. Timor

JAKARTA: Prosecutors in East Timor indicted on Thursday 57 people, including 17 Indonesian military officers and four former pro-Jakarta militia leaders, for their part in the deadly violence that consumed the former Indonesian province during its 1999 bid for independence.

A statement issued by East Timor's Serious Crimes Unit said the men were accused of crimes against humanity including murder, torture and persecution during the UN-backed referendum to break away from Jakarta.

The defendants include four senior Indonesian military officers, one Special Forces (Kopassus) agent, 12 East Timorese serving in the Indonesian military as non-commissioned officers and four former pro-Jakarta militia leaders, the unit said.

The indictment is related to "planned and coordinated" attacks, allegedly launched by Indonesian troops and militiamen on civilians seeking refuge with the police in September 1999, which left at least 13 people dead, it said.

East Timor's prosecutors have filed a series of indictments in an attempt to bring Indonesian military members, officers and militiamen to justice, including former defense minister and Indonesian Military commander, Gen. (ret) Wiranto.

Indonesia refuses to extradite any suspects and East Timorese President Xanana Gusmao criticized the indictments, saying good relations with their former sovereign should be the priority. -- AFP