16 February 2001 -- The preliminary hearing into the first case of crimes against humanity committed in the wake of East Timor's 1999 referendum began today at the Dili District Court, the United Nations Transitional Administration in East Timor (UNTAET) said in a statement.
The case concerns eleven persons charged with murder, torture, deportation and forcible transfer of civilian population in Lospalos, Lautem District, between 21 April and 25 September 1999.
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.
"I am convinced that it is particularly significant that the Lospalos massacre is the first crime against humanity to be taken before the Special Panel for Serious Crimes," said UNTAET chief Sergio Vieira de Mello. "We are not losing momentum. In fact, this hearing is taking place only six months since the panel was set up and roughly one year after the establishment of the new Judiciary by UNTAET."
Today's proceedings dealt mainly with detention reviews. The hearing will resume on 23 February.
Meanwhile, a preliminary hearing took place today into the case of a member of the Darah Integrasi militia, accused of murdering a villager in Letefoho village, Ermera district, on 10 September 1999. The suspect was released pending trial on the condition that he report to the international civilian police force in Dili twice a week. The trial date was set for 24 April.
In other news, the first battalion of the East Timor Defence Force (ETDF) will start training on Monday, 19 February. The 650 soldiers, who will be trained in Aileu district, will receive basic military training such as target practice.
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