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East Timor gang leaders responsible for worst massacres

In East Timor, gang members responsible for one of the worst massacres linked to the territory's vote for independence two years ago have been found guilty of crimes against humanity.

Mark Bowling reports, ten members of the gang 'Tim Alpha' have been given jail terms of up to 33 years.

Each were convicted of killing two nuns, three priests and an Indonesian journalist as well as carrying out other murders in East Timor's Los Paulos district. Three judges on a United Nations special panel for serious crimes also found the ten gang members guilty of torture, persecution and forced deportation. They're the first people to be convicted of crimes against humanity in connection with the violence that surrounded East Timor's vote for independence. The UN panel heard how soon after the vote the militia gang members still loyal to Indonesia carried out 13 murders, burnt several villages and forced residents of Los Palos to flee their homes. An alleged 11th gang member, an Indonesian Special Forces officer, has been indicted but remains at large.

12/12/01 4:36:56 | ABC Radio Australia News

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