Posted on Mon, May. 05, 2008

Indonesia extradites 4 suspects in East Timor plot

The Associated Press

JAKARTA, Indonesia --

Indonesia extradited four rebel soldiers suspected in the attempted assassinations of East Timor's president and prime minister, the police chief said Monday.

The East Timorese men, who were detained after illegally crossing the border last month, were flown to the capital, Dili, where they will face trial in the Feb. 11 shootings, said Gen. Sutanto, who like many Indonesians goes by a single name.

They face up to 25 years in prison if convicted.

President Jose Ramos-Horta almost died after being shot by men led by rebel commander Alfredo Reinado, who was killed in a shootout with guards. Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao escaped unharmed from an ambush on his motorcade the same day.

The motive for the attacks is yet to be determined.

The violence showed the continuing volatility of East Timor since it declared independence in 2002 following decades of harsh Indonesian rule. Dozens of people have been killed in clashes between government troops and mutinous soldiers since then, and tens of thousands of citizens still live in squalid tent camps after fleeing their homes.