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Indonesia's first human rights court starts hearing abuse cases

Indonesia's first human rights court has started hearing cases of abuses of East Timor in 1999.

Former Indonesian-appointed governor of East Timor, Abilio Soares is the first in the dock, as Jakarta correspondent Mark Bowling reports:

"It's alleged that the former Governor, Abilio Soares, failed to use his position to stop the massacre of Timorese refugees sheltering in a church in the town of Suai. Dozens of people died including three priests. Also appearing before a panel of judges, East Timor's former police chief Timbul Silaen. He joked with reporters and international observers inside the courtroom, despite facing charges of crimes against humanity. Timbul Silaen says that after months of delays he's pleased the Tribunal is finally underway and that the evidence of eyewitnesses will clear him. In all, 18 suspects including three Indonesian generals will face charges of crimes against humanity.

14/03/2002 19:02:19 | ABC Radio Australia News

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