Received from Joyo Indonesian News

The Jakarta Post [online] January 20, 2003

Former police chief sentenced to jail over East Timor violence

JAKARTA (JP): The ad hoc human rights tribunal sentenced former chief of Dili Police to three years in jail involving the 1999 East Timor's bloody break.

According ot the verdict, defendant Lt. Col. Hulman Gultom was found guilty of failing to prevent pro-Jakarta militiamen from committing the violence, which claimed at least 12 pro-independence supporterson April, 17, 1999 in Dili.

"The defendant has been proven guilty of grave human rights violations," said Presiding Judge Andriani Nurdin.

Hulman, who becomes the second officials to be convicted in the tribunal over East Timor violences, maintained his innoncence in the case.

"I cannot accept this decision. I have risked my life to prevent the riots but I have been found guilty," he, who remains free pending appeal.

Last month, the court in Jakarta sentenced Dili's military commander, Lt. Col. Soejarwo, to five years in prison. Two East Timorese civilians, former Governor Abilio Soares and militia leader Eurico Guterres, also have been sentenced to three years and 10 years in jail respectively involving the case.

Eleven other government officials and army and police officers have been acquitted last year. 

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