JSMP Press Release
24 November 2003
For Immediate Release
Clandestine Member Snetenced for Murder by the Special Panel for Serious Crimes Cases in Dili
Today, 24 November 2003, the Special Panel for Serious Crimes, a part of the Dili District Court, delivered the decision in the case of Public Prosecutor against Carlos Soares aka Carman, sentencing Carlos Soares to 4 years and six month imprisonment. The panel delivering the decision was presided by Judge Francesco Florit together with Judge Antonio Helder do Carmo and Judge Dora de Morais.
In this decision, the accused Carlos Soares aka Carman, who was a clandestine member in 1999, was found guilty of the murder of Graciano Mau Mario on 19 September 1999 in Aitura sub-village, Sub District Ermera, in violation of Section 8 of UNTAET Regulation 2000/15 and Article 338 of Indonesian Penal Code. Carlos Soares aka Carman has been in detention since July 2002 and this period will be deducted from his sentence.
The decision, read by Presiding Judge Florit, was publicly interpreted in the Courtroom, guaranteeing that both the accused and his family members understood the sentence.
JSMP recently highlighted that during the closing arguments on this case, the Panel failed to provide general interpretation to the public.
“We hope that this Panel from now on will continue to provide general
interpretation in the courtroom, using its currently available resources
in trying to fulfil its role to bring justice in East Timor.” –
said JSMP
The complete written
decision of this case will be issued on 8th December 2003 at 09 a.m