Balibo 5 deliberately killed, coroner finds
Posted
Updated
The coroner says war crimes charges could be laid over the 1975 killing of Brian Peters and four other journalists. (ABC)
A New South Wales coroner has found Indonesian forces deliberately killed five Australian-based journalists at Balibo in East Timor in 1975.
Deputy state coroner Dorelle Pinch delivered her findings at the Glebe Coroners Court into the death of Brian Peters, one of the Balibo five.
Her findings follow after a six-week inquest earlier this year which heard evidence about the circumstances of the deaths of all five news men.
She told the court the men did not die in crossfire between Indonesian troops and Fretilin soldiers, but were deliberately killed on the orders of the Indonesian field commander Captain Yunis Yosfiah.
Ms Pinch said war crimes may have been committed and she would refer the case to the federal Attorney-General.
She recommended that the Australian Government have the remains of the journalists, buried in Jakarta, returned to Australia.
In his final submission to the inquest, counsel assisting Mark Tedeschi QC said there was incontrovertible evidence Indonesian soldiers deliberately killed the five.
Mr Tedeschi said at least three of the journalists were shot after an order was given by Captain Yosfiah and a fifth news man was stabbed by an officer.
He said there was enough evidence to prosecute two people for the war crime of wilful killing of civilians.
Shirley Shackleton, the widow of another Balibo five news man Greg Shackleton, says she is delighted with the outcome.
"I'm floating ... I mean if I'd have been the coroner I couldn't have done a better job myself," she said.
"It shows that the one thing I've worked for all these years is the proper respect would be paid and it never ever has been until today."
Search ABC News
Featured Video
-
Video
A book of Mary Mackillop's own letters offers a rare insight into Australia's saint in waiting.
-
Video
Inquiry has heard allegations of sexual misconduct and a bullying culture existed on HMAS Success
-
Video
Frightened residents run to higher ground as a 6.9 magnitude aftershock rocks the streets of Chile.
-
Video
A Melbourne woman has recovered from brain surgery after being struck in the skull by a golf ball, whilst sitting in a taxi.
The ABC News Online Investigative Unit encourages whistleblowers, and others with access to information they believe should be revealed for the public good, to contact us.
