11 pro-independece activists go on trial in Dili, E Timor Via NY Transfer News Collective * All the News that Doesn't Fit ............................................................... source - "John M. Miller" ELEVEN PRO-INDEPENDENCE ACTIVISTS PUT ON TRIAL Jakarta, Solid-Net (17/6) The trial is due to commence today in Dili of six pro-independence activists accused of discovering a mass grave in Harolla at the end of last month. They are Carlito Gomes Martins (20), Romanus Bere Mau (23), Caesar de Araujo (23), Agapito da Silva (26), Dominggos Lemos Ximenes (22), dan Radiano Martins (17). Rui Pereira, head of the special cases division of Yayasan HAK, spoke about the trials to the local daily, Suara Timor Timur. Another five activists are also to go on trial. They are: Claudia Xavier (47), Saturnino dos Santos (26), Julio Fernandez (27), Manekas Xavier (27), dan Eduardo de Deus Barreto (48). They are to face charges of involvement in several criminal actions including robbery and being in possession sharp weapons. According to investigations undertaken by the newspaper, the five had earlier sought sanctuary at the home of the district chief of Ermera, Constantino Soares, after acts of terrors and intimidation carried out by armed civilian militias. But the district chief told them to go to the local police station for protection, and they landed up in Ermera prison. In custody, they were interrogated as 'witnesses' in a criminal case, without being told who was the suspect. Rui Pereira said: 'If these eleven are put on trial, this will cast serious doubt on the neutrality of the police.' He added: 'If pro-independence people are treated like this, why aren't pro-integration people who have committed murders all over the place also being brought to justice. Fairness means that not only pro-independence people should be put on trial.' (brx) SOLID-NET Release by: SOLIDAMOR Solidaritas untuk Penyelesaian Damai Timor Leste Solidarity for Peace in East Timor Jl. Pramuka Jaya Sari No. 9, Jakarta 10570 Telp. 62-21-422 4079, 422 6348; Faks. 62-21-422 4079 email: solidmor@centrin.net.id Web: www.solidamor.org Translated by TAPOL ================================================================= NY Transfer News Collective * A Service of Blythe Systems Since 1985 - Information for the Rest of Us 339 Lafayette St., New York, NY 10012 http://www.blythe.org e-mail: nyt@blythe.org ================================================================= nytpac-06.23.99-11:55:13-3375