UNPol in East Timor Security Briefing 12 September 2007

 This is a broadcast of the UN Police in Timor-Leste to provide you with information about the security situation around the country.

The security situation in Timor-Leste has generally been calm.

Earlier today in Dili, UNPol attended four incidents, including a fight between two groups in Kampung Tuti. Police arrived and brought the situation under control, but a group of youths gathered shortly afterwards and started causing a disturbance. Police fired tear gas to disperse the crowd and the situation is now calm.

Last night in Dili, there were a number of minor incidents involving rock throwing, concentrating around Kampung Alor, Kampung Baru, Santa Cruz, Comoro Bridge, Bebonuk and Vila Verde. Separately, a man was arrested in Lahane for attempting to rape a 24-year-old woman. The suspect was taken to the Dili Detention Centre.

On Tuesday in Same, PNTL officers fired two warning shots into the air when they were attacked by a group that had been causing damage to a shop in the market place. The group used sling shots to fire darts and rocks at the PNTL officers when the police tried to arrest them. There were no reports of any injuries.

On Tuesday morning in Maliana, a 26-year-old suspect was arrested for punching two police cars. There was no significant damage to the vehicles.

On Tuesday in Viqueque, police arrested six people suspected of arson in Buicarin village. Separately, demonstrations commemorating  the founding of ASDT were held in Viqueque town and Watolari. The demonstrations went peacefully.

On Monday, police arrested a suspect in a murder case in Kutulau village, Liquica, who had escaped from Becora prison in February this year.

United Nations police officers in conjunction with the PNTL and the international security forces remain fully deployed to respond to any disturbances that may emerge.

The Police advise to avoid traveling during the night to the most affected areas. Please report any suspicious activities.  You can call 112 or 7230365 to contact the police 24 hours a day, seven days a week.