Two soldiers go on trial

DENPASAR, Bali: The military tribunal has charged two soldiers with deviating from a standard military operation, which led to the murder of six people in Liquisa, East Timor, on Jan. 12.

The defendants, First Lt. Jermias Kasse and First Private Rusdin Maubere, were tried separately.

Prosecutor Lt. Col. Asmar Gutji said that Kasse, an intelligence officer at the Liquisa military district, who led the operation, disobeyed his commandant's order in the operation against members of separatist Fretilin rebels.

The 30-member team was ordered to arrest the rebels, who were unarmed, Antara reported.

But upon seeing one of the soldiers was attacked by an alleged rebel, the defendant ordered the team to "finish" the six unarmed rebels, who they had arrested.

Maubere interpreted Kasse's order as executing the six prisoners, the prosecutor said. (pan)