Pros. v. Beny Ludji and Jose Pereira fr

Country of proceedings: East Timor (District Court of Dili)
Context of crimes: East Timor
Date: 2003 - 2004
Keywords: Crimes against humanity (murder)

Case No.: 16-2003

Court Documents
04-06-2003 - Indictment
19-05-2004 - Judgement (in Portuguese)

Presentation of the case
During the widespread and systematic attack perpetrated against the civilian population of East Timor in 1999, Beny Ludji was a Commander in the Aitarik militia group. Alongside the Indonesian security authorities (TNI) and the Indonesian police force (POLRI), more than twenty pro-autonomy militia groups waged a campaign of violence largely against the civilian population suspected of being pro-independence.

According to the Indictment, Beny Ludji threatened to kill anyone that supported independence. Further, Ludj and his co-accused, Jose Pereira, a member of the militias, are charged with murder as a crime against humanity in conjunction with a specific attack against a civilian in East Timor. Beny Ludji was the first Indonesian present in East Timor to be charged with crimes committed in the country. The other Indonesian nationals indicted by the Court are either in Indonesia or West Timor, the vast majority of whom are yet to face justice.

On 19 May 2004, the two accused pleaded guilty to the charge of murder. Ludji received a sentence of 8 years’ imprisonment, whilst Pereira was sentenced to two-and-a-half years’ imprisonment.

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