SERIOUS CRIMES UNIT: INFORMATION RELEASE

TWO INDICTMENTS ISSUED CHARGING TNI SERGEANT AND 4 MILITIA MEMBERS FROM OECUSSI AND AILEU WITH CRIMES AGAINST HUMANITY

On 10 July 2003, the Acting Deputy General Prosecutor for Serious Crimes filed two indictments at the Special Panel for Serious Crimes in Dili District Court in Timor Leste for alleged Crimes against Humanity committed in Aileu and Oecussi districts in September 1999.

The Aileu indictment alleges that the AHI militia group in Aileu district worked in close cooperation with the TNI and carried out widespread and systemic attacks against civilians targetting individuals believed to be supporters of independence. The indictment specifically charges TNI Sergeant Domingos Alberto Carlos with one count of murder as a Crime against Humanity for the killing of CNRT independence member Elias De Araujo who was allegedly shot dead by Sgt. Carlos on 6 September 1999.

The indictment further charges TNI Sgt. Carlos and AHI militia members Carlos Jose and Almeida Martins with one count of Crimes against Humanity for the murder of Evaristo Lere Barreto on 6 September 1999. It is alleged that Sgt. Carlos ordered Jose and Martins to kill Evaristo Lere Barreto who was then stabbed to death by the two accused. TNI Sgt. Carlos and other AHI militia members later took the wife of the victim to see the dead body of her husband and Sgt. Carlos allegedly informed her that he had killed her husband.

The Oecussi indictment charges two Sakunar militia members, Liberatus Mauno and Alexio Sepa with 4 counts of Crimes against Humanity which include four alleged murders and inhumane acts committed against civilians in Oecussi District in September 1999. The indictment alleges that the crimes were committed following a meeting of senior Sakunar militia commanders when Sakunar militia members were ordered to kill independence supporters in specific villages of Oecussi district.

The indictment charges Alexio Sepa from Passabe subdistrict with one count of Crimes against Humanity for the murder of Dominggos Kolo by a group of Sakunar militia members under the command of Quelo Mano on 8 September 1999. Quelo Mauno was recently sentenced to 7 years imprisonment by the Special Panel for Serious Crimes at Dili district court following his guilty plea to the murder of Kolo.

The indictment also charges Liberatus Mauno (aka Latus) with one count of Crimes against Humanity for the murder of Yosef Maknaun on the Oecussi-West Timor border on 9 September 1999. Following the orders of Sakunar militia commanders, Liberatus Mauno and a second militia member allegedly stabbed Yosef Maknaun to death. The second militia member is present in Timor Leste and is expected to stand trial at the Special Panel for Serious Crimes following his recent indictment in relation to this murder.

The two accused are also charged with one count of Crimes against Humanity for the murders of Ernesto Lafu and Vincente Quelo, and the inhumane acts against Serafim Tolo in Nakome village on 10 September 1999. The indictment alleges that Mauno led an attack by a group of Sakunar militia members on villagers from Nakome village. During that attack the three men named above were allegedly targeted as they were independence supporters. It is alleged that the three men were repeatedly struck with machetes by the group of militia including the two accused resulting in the deaths of two of the men.

The Serious Crimes Unit has previously charged two other former Sakunar militia members in relation to these alleged murders and inhumane acts. These two accused are presently in detention in Timor Leste and are expected to stand trial at the Special Panel for Serious Crimes.

All of the five accused in the two indictments are believed to be at large in the Republic of Indonesia. Arrest Warrants will be requested from Dili District Court which when received will be forwarded to the Attorney General of the Republic of Indonesia. The arrest warrants will also be forwarded to Interpol.

The Serious Crimes Unit has now filed 65 indictments with the Special Panels for Serious Crimes in Timor Leste charging a total of 301 persons. Of those indicted 221 remain at large in the Republic of Indonesia. Until now, 32 accused have been convicted in trials at the Special Panel for Serious Crimes in Dili District Court.

14 July 2003 Serious Crimes Unit

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