Verdict due in E Timor trial

By Rachel Harvey BBC News, Jakarta

A special human rights tribunal which was set up to investigate abuses committed during East Timor's vote for independence, is due to deliver its final verdict on Tuesday.

The last suspect is a senior general, Adam Damiri, who is charged with failing to prevent the violence which swept the territory four years ago, leaving more than a 1,000 people dead.

More than 1,000 people died in the East Timor conflict

The tribunal, in the Indonesian capital Jakarta, has been heavily criticised for its conduct since it was set up and the case of Adam Damiri has been particularly controversial.

In 1999 General Damiri was commander of the region of Indonesia which at the time included East Timor.

As such he is the most senior military officer to face charges in connection with the wave of bloody violence which marred the territory's transition to independence.

'Too busy' for trial

The indictment against him says he should have stopped the bands of armed militia who carried out the majority of the killings, but he did not.

General Damiri himself has failed to show up for some of the earlier phases of his trial, saying he was too busy.

Still a serving officer, he is currently helping to plan the Indonesian Government's military campaign against separatist rebels in the province of Aceh.

Most observers believe Adam Damiri's chances of being found guilty are slim.

The prosecution recently asked for the charges against him to be dropped, saying there was insufficient evidence to support them.

And the special court has so far only convicted a total of five suspects from an original list of 18, leading to criticism of the tribunal from campaigners at home and abroad.