The United Nations has condemned East Timor's release of Martenus Bere, a former Indonesian militia leader jailed for a massacre in a church in Suai. The massacre, in which as many as 200 East Timorese were killed, took place in 1999.
The UN says it is unacceptable that someone involved in such a crime should go free. Bere was granted clemency on Sunday, when East Timor celebrated the 10th anniversary of the 2002 UN referendum which led to independence from Indonesia.
The Dili government has not officially confirmed Bere's release. East Timor's leaders have regularly been criticised for being too lenient towards those guilty of abuse during Indonesian rule. President José Ramos Horta says he finds good relations with Indonesia more important than such considerations.
East Timor (Wikimedia Commons)
East Timor (Wikimedia Commons)
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