Indonesian militia leader on trial

Guterres smiled as the charges were read out

The former leader of a notorious pro-Indonesian militia has gone on trial in Jakarta accused of failing to prevent his men from killing 12 East Timorese three years ago.

I defended the republic of Indonesia

Eurico Guterres

The prosecutor said Eurico Guterres's men attacked the home of Manuel Carrascalao, a pro-independence leader in East Timor's capital, Dili, after the victims had sought refuge there.

Mr Guterres told the Indonesian human rights court that the charges - which could carry the death penalty - were unrealistic.

He is one of 18 defendants facing trial for crimes against humanity in East Timor.

At least 1,000 East Timorese are believed to have been killed in violence during East Timor's vote for independence from Indonesia in 1999.

'Killing order'

According to the prosecutor, Muhammad Yusuf, Mr Guterres told his supporters at a rally prior to the massacre that all East Timorese who wanted independence had to be killed.

Militia groups went on the rampage during East Timor's vote

Mr Yusuf said Mr Guterres had later failed to prevent the Aitarak militia from attacking Mr Carrascalao's home.

A son of Mr Carrascalao was among those killed, and several others were injured.

Mr Guterres has been charged with one count of attack and murder, which carries the death penalty, and one count of attack and torture which carries a maximum penalty of 20 years imprisonment.

Both charges carry a minimum sentence of 10 years imprisonment.

'Blue-sky charges'

The former militia leader, wearing military fatigues and a green beret, smiled as the indictment was read out.

"I thank the prosecutors for the charges but let's prove them in this trial. I think it is a blue-sky (unrealistic) indictment," he told the judges.

But he earlier told reporters he was ready to die if the court found him guilty.

"For the sake of justice I am ready to die because I was there to defend the red and white (the colours of the Indonesian flag), not my wife or children. I defended the republic of Indonesia," he said.

His case has been adjourned until 4 July.

Jakarta is under intense international pressure to punish those responsible for the 1999 violence.

But the trials have been widely criticised by human rights groups for not including former military chief General Wiranto and other senior officials.

And witnesses from East Timor have reportedly ignored summons to appear at earlier court sessions because they fear for their safety in Indonesia.