MEDIA ADVISORY
Decision on the Lolotoe case (case n° 4/2001: Prosecutor v. José
Cardoso Fereira aka Mouzinho) will be issued on Saturday 5th April, 10:00,
by the Special Panel for Serious Crimes (Dili District Court) at the Court
of Appeals Building
Background:
José Cardoso Fereira aka Mouzinho, an alleged KMMP [Kaer Metin Merah Putih] militia commander, was indicted and charged with several Crimes Against Humanity: Murder, Rape, Imprisonment, Torture, other Inhumane Acts and Persecution.
The facts related to events between April and October 1999. Both the TNI in Lolotoe sub-district of Bobonaro District and the KMMP militia conducted acts of violence against those members of the civilian population in Lolotoe sub-district who were considered to be pro-independence, linked to or sympathetic to the independence cause.
Besides Cardoso Fereira, another four men were indicted: a KMMP militia commander, the Lolotoe- Subdistrict military commander (Indonesian national), a TNI intelligence officer and a Village Chief from Guda village. Of these accused, two remain at large in Indonesia.
The other two have already been tried and sentenced by the Special Panel for Serious Crimes. They have pleaded guilty and have been convicted.
Joao Franca da Silva alias Jhoni Franca was found guilty of several crimes against humanity (4 charges of imprisonment and torture) and sentenced to 5 years.
Sabino Gouveia Leite was also found guilty of different crimes against humanity (3 charges of imprisonment, torture, and other inhumane acts) and sentenced to 3 years.