Indonesian Foreign Minister: East Timor Has No Right to Intervene in Indonesian Law

Wednesday, 21 July, 2004 | 08:23 WIB

TEMPO Interactive, Jakarta:Responding to a letter sent by East Timorese President Xanana Gusmao, the East Timorese parliament and East Timorese Attorney General Longuinhos Monteiro stating that the former governor of East Timor Abilio Soares was innocent, Indonesian foreign minister Nur Hassan Wirajuda said that no party is entitled to intervene in the legal system of Indonesia.

Not Mr. Gusmao, who is East Timorese President, and not even the Indonesian President has a right to intervene in the legal process, Wirajuda told reporters during a seminar held at the Grand Melia Hotel, Jakarta, on Tuesday (20/07).

According to him, the trial process in any country comes as an independent process.

Soares has been detained at the Cipinang penitentiary since Saturday (17/07) after the Supreme Court rejected his appeal.

Soares has been sentenced to three years in jail.

Furthermore, Wirajuda said, Soares sentence was made following a fair trial.

According to Wirajuda, should Soares feel that he has been treated unfairly, he could ask for a review on his case or request clemency from the president. (Faisal - Tempo News Room)

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