Indonesia has banned three films about its occupation of East Timor, saying they could "reopen old wounds". The films were due to be shown at a film festival last month in Jakarta.

Indonesian troops killed tens of thousands of people in East Timor during their 24-year occupation of the tiny territory. The films focus on alleged atrocities during the occupation and UN-led reconciliation since the referendum in 1999.

"We feared the films might reopen old wounds when a bridge of friendship is being built between East Timor and Indonesia," said Titie Said, head of Indonesia's film censor board.