13 February 2001 -- The United Nations Transitional Administration in East Timor (UNTAET) today reported the opening of the second trial for serious crimes committed in East Timor in 1999.
The trial, which began in the Dili District Court, is of a 36-year-old man suspected of perpetrating, aiding or otherwise assisting in the murder of a man in Asulau village, Ermera district, on 28 May 1999, UNTAET said.
In other news, the preliminary hearing into the first case of crimes against humanity committed in East Timor during the same year will begin on 16 February at the Dili District Court. The case concerns 11 persons accused of murder, torture, deportation and forcible transfer of civilian population in Lospalos, Lautem District, between 21 April and 25 September.
The accused, most of whom were members of pro-autonomy militia group Team Alfa, also known as Jati Merah Puti, are charged with several crimes including the ambush and murder on 25 September 1999 of a group of clergy, church workers, a journalist and a youth near the village of Verokoko, Lospalos.
The indictment also contains the first accusation against an Indonesian army officer, Lt. Sayful Anwar, Deputy Commander of its Special Forces Command (KOPASSUS) stationed in Los Palos, for the mutilation, torture and murder of Averisto Lopes at the Team Alfa base.
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