Connect with ETAN

East Timor International Support Center PO Box 651 Nightcliff, Darwin, NT 0814, Australia

MEDIA RELEASE , Wed, Nov 4, 1998

Prosceute Prabowo for crimes against the East Timorese people

An official investigation into the May riots in Indonesia has implied that the armed forces' (ABRI) elite forces, Kopassus, may have acted as provocateurs that triggered the rioting. The bloody riots, in Jakarta, cost at least 1,200 lives and the investigation team found evidence of 52 cases of rape, in which most of the victims were from the ethnic Chinese minority, who were also the target of looting and arson attacks.

The official investigation also recommended the court-martial of former President Suharto's son-in-law Lieutenant-General Prabowo Subianto, over the kidnapping of pro-democracy activists ahead of the riots. Prabowo was the former commander of Kopassus.

The East Timor International Support Center demands that Prabowo be also prosecuted for the atrocities committed, in East Timor, by Kopassus under his command.

Prabowo has been implicated in the control of 'ninja squads', operated by the paramilitary groups, in East Timor, which have been used by Kopassus and other elements of the military to terrorise and torture East Timorese suspected of supporting the pro- independence resistance.

Recent leaked documents on actual ABRI troop numbers in East Timor indicate the existence of 13 paramilitary squads and contradicts ABRI's long-time claims of having no links with paramilitary groups in East Timor. The documents name groups like Team Alpha and Team Saka, which are known terror squads in the Indonesian-occupied territory and support claims that they were supported by Kopassus, which was then under the command of Prabowo.

The numerous kidnappings, disappearances, torture and killings by instruments of the state to keep Suharto in power and to consolidate ABRI's presence and control over East Timor, can be traced back to Prabowo.

It is quite obvious the Indonesian legal system is inadequate to deal with Prabowo and for that reason he must be tried in the International Criminal Court for crimes against humanity.

'EAST TIMOR ON THE NET' For the latest updates, news and views on East Timor and Indonesia Visit http://www.easttimor.com maintained by the East Timor International Support Center Hon Chairman: Jose Ramos-Horta Nobel Peace Laureate 1996

Back to November Menu
Back to Main Postings Menu & Site Search Engine