Indonesia opened its first trials today linked to violence that marked East Timor's vote to break from Jakarta's rule in August 1999.
It is trying to convince a sceptical international community that those responsible for the carnage will be punished. But the trials of 18 suspects, including three generals, have been plagued by frequent delays and widespread doubts that justice would be served.
"I am personally not optimistic with the process because there are a number of flaws already," Mr Hendardi, head of the Indonesian Legal Aid and Human Rights Association, said. He said one of those was the failure of authorities to put Indonesia's military chief at the time, Mr Wiranto, on trial.
The first defendants to take the stand in separate but packed hearings of the special human rights court today were the territory's ex-police chief, Gen Timbul Silaen, and former governor of East Timor Mr Abilio Soares.
A court spokesman has said Gen Silaen and Mr Soares had been charged with crimes against humanity in connection with four incidents, including the massacre of East Timorese refugees in a church in September 1999.
There has been confusion over the maximum penalty they face.
Five other suspects, all military members, face trial on March 19th. No date has been set yet in the cases of the remaining 11 suspects.