New crimes against humanity indictment filed
JSMP, Dili, 9/8/01
The Office of the General Prosecutor on 7/8/01 filed the fifth indictment that includes charges of crimes against humanity with the Special Panel of the Dili District Court. Benjamin Sarmento, Romeiro Tilman, Joao Sarmento and Domingos Mendonca are alleged to have been members of the Tim Sasurut Ablai militia that was active in Same sub-district, Manufahi district, during 1999.
Two of the four accused had earlier been indicted on charges of murder, but the Special Panel had allowed a request by the Public Prosecutor to upgrade the charges and to join them together with two other related investigations. The charges relate to several incidents between April and September 1999 in Same sub-district. They include seven murders as well as the persecution, imprisonment and deportation of hundreds of villagers in both the lead up and aftermath of the popular consultation on 30 August 1999. The indictment outlines a campaign of terror and intimidation aimed at destroying the pro-independence movement, including threats and acts of physical violence, arson and widespread killing of livestock.
The original two accused are also charged with responsibility for the acts of their subordinates, as they are alleged to have been involved in the command structure of the notorious militia group. Although they were both awaiting trial for the original charges against them, the Court will set a new date for a preliminary hearing in relation to the new indictment.
Over half of the fifty people now indicted by the Special Panel for Serious Crimes are facing charges of crimes against humanity.
The Los Palos case, which is the first crimes against humanity case to go to trial before the Special Panel, is now into its fifth week. As there are still over twenty witnesses to testify, it is likely that all other serious crimes cases listed for August will be postponed.
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