THE HAGUE, Netherlands (AP) -- A Dutch court has ordered the government to compensate the widows of seven villagers summarily executed in a notorious massacre during Indonesia's bloody battle for independence from colonial rule.

The Hague Civil Court says it was "unreasonable" for the government to argue that the widows were not entitled to compensation because the statute of limitations had expired.

Wednesday's judgment paves the way for a case to establish the level of compensation paid to the relatives.

The Dutch government had previously expressed its regret for the 1947 massacre in the village of Rawagedeh in western Java, but said it happened too long ago to compensate victims.