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Timor-Leste indicts 5 Indonesian soldiers for crimes against humanity - UN

Timor-Leste indicts 5 Indonesian soldiers for crimes against humanity - UN

Timor-Leste filed an indictment against five Indonesian soldiers today for crimes against humanity, bringing to more than 20 the number of Indonesian personnel charged this week, a United Nations spokesman said.

The five were charged with rape and torture, spokesman Fred Eckhard said at a press briefing in New York. Earlier in the week, 16 others, including eight Indonesia Military District Commanders, were indicted for crimes against humanity allegedly committed in 1999.

"The United Nations attaches the highest importance to the successful completion of the investigation and prosecution of serious crime cases, as mandated by the Security Council," Mr. Eckhard said, noting that the indictments are prepared by international staff who report functionally to the Timor-Leste Prosecutor-General, and are issued under the legal authority of the Timorese Government.