The Indonesian general in overall charge of East Timor during its bloody independence vote in 1999 went on trial for his life today, pleading his innocence.
The trial, watched closely by the international community, is the latest test of the independence of the judiciary in a country where the military traditionally wields considerable clout.
Prosecutors accused Major-General Adam Damiri, former commander of the chain of islands east of Java that included East Timor, of crimes against humanity as the trial opened at the human rights court in Indonesia's capital, Jakarta.
"The defendant didn't take the proper action in his jurisdiction to prevent the incidents or take into custody the perpetrators for investigation," prosecutor Mr Abdul Hamid told the trial.
"Adam Damiri, as the regional military commander, knew and should have known that the troops under his control had committed gross violations in East Timor," he added.
Major-General Damiri faces the death penalty on a charge of failing to control subordinates accused of murdering East Timorese. He has also been charged with failing to prevent torture, a charge which carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in jail.
He denied any wrongdoing and said he was not in the territory when pro-Jakarta militiamen, backed by the military, waged their campaign of terror.
Leading rights groups are sceptical the trials, which have heard damning evidence from witnesses flown into Jakarta from East Timor, will yield justice. The United Nations estimates more than 1,000 people were killed in the violence.
East Timor was declared fully independent on May 20th this year, when the UN handed over power to a government led by former guerrilla leader Mr Xanana Gusmao.