Dili – Prosecutors in East Timor Thursday indicted 57 people, including 17 Indonesian military officers and four former pro-Jakarta militia leaders, for their part in deadly violence during the country's 1999 independence bid.

A statement issued by East Timor's Serious Crimes Unit, said the men were accused of crimes against humanity including murder, torture and persecution in surrounding the UN-backed vote to breakaway from Jakarta.

They include four senior Indonesian military officers, one special forces agent, 12 East Timorese serving in the Indonesian military as non-commissioned officers and four former pro-Jakarta militia leaders, the unit said.

The indictment is related to "planned and coordinated" attacks, allegedly launched by Indonesian troops and militiamen on civilians seeking refuge with police in September 1999, which left at least 13 people dead, it said.

"The victims included targeted pro-independence supporters and the 12 year-old son of an independence leader," the statement added.

The military and its supporters waged a savage intimidation campaign before East Timor's August 1999 independence vote and a revenge campaign afterwards during which tens of thousands were forced over the border into West Timor.

An estimated 1,000 people were murdered. The territory finally gained independence last May after a period of UN stewardship.

East Timor's prosecutors have filed a series of indictments in an attempt to bring Indonesian military members, officials and militiamen to justice.

In late February the unit charged Jakarta's former defence minister and military chief, Wiranto, for crimes against humanity along with six other senior officers and the then-governor.

Indonesia refuses to hand over any suspects. East Timor's President Xanana Gusmao has also criticised the February indictments, saying good relations with the former ruler should take priority.