Pro-Indonesia militia
Encyclopedia
Pro-Indonesia militias were East Timor
ese paramilitary militia groups that formed to show loyalty to the Indonesia
n government during the movement for East Timorese independence in the late 1990s. Many believed that the independence movement would be unsuccessful, and that those loyal to Indonesia would be rewarded when they regained control of the area. Most of the worst acts of the period, including the Liquiçá Church Massacre
, were committed by these East Timorese groups, albeit often with support of the Indonesian military. Eurico Guterres
was the most famous member of these groups.
Fictional representations of these groups, their members, actions and atrocities were shown in the 2006 Australian Miniseries Answered by Fire
Militia groups included Aitarak
, Besi Merah Putih
, Laksaur
, and Mahidi.
East Timor
The Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste, commonly known as East Timor , is a state in Southeast Asia. It comprises the eastern half of the island of Timor, the nearby islands of Atauro and Jaco, and Oecusse, an exclave on the northwestern side of the island, within Indonesian West Timor...
ese paramilitary militia groups that formed to show loyalty to the Indonesia
Indonesia
Indonesia , officially the Republic of Indonesia , is a country in Southeast Asia and Oceania. Indonesia is an archipelago comprising approximately 13,000 islands. It has 33 provinces with over 238 million people, and is the world's fourth most populous country. Indonesia is a republic, with an...
n government during the movement for East Timorese independence in the late 1990s. Many believed that the independence movement would be unsuccessful, and that those loyal to Indonesia would be rewarded when they regained control of the area. Most of the worst acts of the period, including the Liquiçá Church Massacre
Liquiçá Church Massacre
The Liquiçá Church Massacre was an atrocity that occurred in the war torn country of East Timor, in April, 1999. It was the first case to be heard by the Second Special Panel.-Events and Aftermath:...
, were committed by these East Timorese groups, albeit often with support of the Indonesian military. Eurico Guterres
Eurico Guterres
Eurico Barros Gomes Guterres Eurico Barros Gomes Guterres Eurico Barros Gomes Guterres (born 1971 is a pro-Indonesian or anti-independence militia terrorist recruited by the Indonesian military. He was involved in several massacres in East Timor, and a chief militia leader during the...
was the most famous member of these groups.
Fictional representations of these groups, their members, actions and atrocities were shown in the 2006 Australian Miniseries Answered by Fire
Answered by Fire
Answered by Fire is a two-part mini-series based on the 1999 East Timor conflicts that led to East Timor's independence. The mini-series was based on "Dancing with the Devil, A personal Account of Policing the East Timor Vote for Independence", which was written by David Savage, an Australian...
Militia groups included Aitarak
Aitarak
Aitarak was the name of one of the most feared pro-Indonesia militia groups in East Timor during the late 1990s. On April 17, 1999, the group conducted 12 murders at the Manuel Carrascalão House Massacre in Dili. That same month members took part in the Liquiçá Church Massacre...
, Besi Merah Putih
Besi Merah Putih
Besi Merah Putih , meaning 'red and white iron' in Indonesian, is the official name of a pro-Indonesia militia operating in the district of Liquiçá, and originating in the village of Maubara.- Acts of Murder, Torture and Intimidation :...
, Laksaur
Laksaur
Laksaur was one of the pro-Indonesia militias which committed atrocities around the time of the referendum for independence in 1999 in East Timor. They are considered the principal agents in the Suai Church Massacre, which occurred a week after the referendum. They were believed to have been...
, and Mahidi.