Supreme Court reaffirms verdict against ex-militia chief

JAKARTA (Antara): The Supreme Court Monday reaffirmed Monday a verdict against ex-East Timor militia chief Eurico Guterres made by he ad hoc human right court that punished him 10 year term on Nov. 27, 2002.

Three of the four justices at the Monday's hearing, declared Guterres guilty for committing gross human right violation following East Timorese referendum in 1999.

But Justice Mansyhur Effendi had different opinion,saying that Guterres should be freed from all charges because many suspects, mostly police and military officers, involved in the incident did not receive any punishment.

The three justices, who declared Guterres guilty, were Parman Soeparman, Dirwoto, and Sumaryo Suryokusumo.

East Timor, a country of about 1 million people, voted for independence in a 1999 referendum after a 24-year occupation by Indonesia, which invaded the territory when it was abandoned by Portuguese colonial administration in 1975.

Guterres was tried based on Law No. 26/2000 on human rights court. He was charged for allowing his militias committing crime against humanity following the East Timor referendum that killed at least 12 people.

The ad hoc human rights court tried 18 suspects, 16 of them are military and police officers. But judges freed all of the military and police officers from all charges.

Another suspect was former East Timor Governor Abilio Suares, who was sentenced 10 years by the lower court, acquitted by the Supreme Court.