10 January 2001 -- The first preliminary hearings of persons suspected of committing serious crimes during East Timor's post-referendum violence in 1999 took place today in the Dili District Court, according to the United Nations Transitional Administration in East Timor (UNTAET).

Two separate hearings involved a former militia member and a man belonging to the pro-independence movement, UNTAET said in a statement released in Dili.

In the first case, an ex-militia known as "Red White Tornado" admitted to killing a village chief in Bobonaro district on 8 September 1999. The admission of guilt was accepted by the court, which will convene again on 16 January for sentencing.

The second hearing concerned a 30-year-old pro-independence activist, who pleaded not guilty to the charges of murdering a militia member in Ermero district on 26 September 1999. His trial was set for 6 February.

According to UNTAET, a total of 12 cases of individual serious crimes have been submitted to the Special Panel for Serious Crimes. Preliminary hearings in the remaining cases will take place later this month.

 

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Not an official document of the United Nations. Maintained by the Peace and Security Section of the Department of Public Information in cooperation with the Department of Peacekeeping Operations. (c) United Nations 2001