ABC Northern Territory

Call for inquest into East Timor death

Tuesday, 5 June 2007. 07:02 (AEST)Tuesday

A Darwin-based East Timor activist says there is more than enough evidence for the Northern Territory coroner to hold an inquest into the death of an Australian man 32 years ago.

Roger East, 29, is believed to have been shot dead by Indonesian soldiers while working in East Timor.

Rob Wesley-Smith says he knows of several people who witnessed what happened, and he knows where the body is buried.

"[My] Timor activist colleague Brian Manning said that he met a Chinese woman who stopped over the body on the beach," he said.

"Other people [including] Peter Cranaher have done research to identify where we think the body is buried.

"I've been to that spot ... unfortunately it's under a large wall."

Mr Wesley-Smith says he is hoping justice will prevail soon, and international politics will not get in the way.

"I think the person handling it has been away and gets back this week and probably needs a few days to get up to speed."