Panel finds Dutch used excessive violence in Indonesian War of Independence

FILE PHOTO: Indonesian President Joko Widodo and Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte walk during their meeting at the presidential palace in Bogor, Indonesia, October 7, 2019. REUTERS/Willy Kurniawan/File Photo

AMSTERDAM (Reuters) - A major historical review has found the Netherlands' military engaged in systematic, excessive, unethical violence during Indonesia's 1945-1949 struggle for independence, and the Dutch government at the time condoned it.

The findings of the review, funded by the Dutch government in 2017 and conducted by academics and experts from both countries, were being presented at a press conference on Thursday, after key findings leaked late on Wednesday.