Dili – An East Timorese court Thursday convicted and sentenced two former pro-Jakarta militiaman for murdering three independence supporters during the country's break from Indonesia in 1999.

Anastacio Martins was sentenced to 11 years and 6 months in prison, while Domingos Goncalves was sentenced to 15 years for the killings in Liquica on September 4, just days after East Timor voted for independence from Indonesia in a referendum. Martins received a lower sentence because he pleaded guilty to the charge.

Both men were members of the notorious Red-and-White Iron militia, which was formed by Indonesia's military to intimidate East Timor's 800,000 people into voting for continued union with Jakarta.

Goncalves' lawyer told reporters her client would appeal. It was not immediately clear whether Martins would appeal.