Rights tribunal opens case on Dili attacks

A human rights tribunal began hearing the case on Monday against the former chief of the Dili Military Command, Lt. Col. Endar Priyanto, who is charged with failing to prevent the massacre of 12 civilians.

Prosecutor K. Lere told the human rights tribunal that the defendant ignored the involvement of his troops in attacks by a pro-Jakarta militia on the East Timor residences of Leandro Isaac and Manuel Viegas Carrascalao.

If convicted, Endar could be sentenced to a minimum of 10 years in prison.

The attacks took place after the militia held an assembly on April 17, 1999, in the yard of the governor's office. Present at the assembly were governor Abilio Soares, prointegration leader Joao da Silva Tavares and Eurico Guterres.

Eurico allegedly urged the gathered militiamen to kill proindependence leaders, including Isaac and Manuel, a brother of Soares' predecessor Mario Viegas Carrascalao.

At least 12 civilians taking refuge in Manuel's house were killed in the attack, including Manuel's son Manelito.

Presiding judge Amril adjourned the trial until next week, at which time the tribunal will hear the opening statement of the defense.

Endar is one of a number of former military personnel being brought before the human rights tribunal for atrocities in East Timor before and after a United Nations-brokered ballot on Aug. 30, 1999, in which East Timorese voted overwhelmingly to break away from Indonesia.

Two former civilian leaders and three military officers are currently on trial for the bloody attack on a church in Suai, which left dozens of people dead, including three Catholic priests.