BBC News Online: World: Asia-Pacific

UN indicts E Timor massacre suspects

Pro-Jakarta militias killed more than 1,000 people

Officials said the indictments were for crimes committed after the territory seceded from Indonesia two years ago.

The UN Prosecutor-General, Mohamed Othman, said the suspects were accused of murdering 65 people in two massacres in September 1999.

He said the suspects were now believed to be in Indonesia.

UN prosecutors have filed charges against several Indonesian military suspects before but Jakarta has refused to extradite them.

Systematic killings

More than 1,000 people were killed by pro-Jakarta militias after the territory voted for independence in a UN-sponsored ballot.

"This indictment is significant as it is the first indictment for extermination," said Mr Othman.

He said that the suspects segregated young men between 16 and 30, tied them up and shot or macheted them to death.

The massacres took place in the East Timorese enclave of Oecussi, 500 metres from the border with West Timor, where the pro-Indonesia militiamen went on the rampage, aided by the Indonesian security forces.

The UN is administering East Timor during its transition to independence next year.