UNPol in East Timor Security Briefing 28 March 2007

The situation in Dili has mainly been calm. Disturbances have been reported in the Bairo Pite, Fatuhada and Bebonuk areas.

Today has been relatively quiet. UNPOL attended a total of seven incidents, five of which were traffic accidents. Of the remaining incidents, one was a rock fight at the Junior High School in Fatumeta and one a case of assault at Kuluhun. In Fatumeta, UNPOL responded and brought the situation under control before any injuries occurred. At Kuluhun, UNPOL attended the scene and the complainant will make a statement at the Caicoli Station.

At around 1804 hrs yesterday UNPOL and Formed Police Units responded to reports of rock throwing at Bairo Pite Junction, arresting one person and dispersing the crowd. Subsequently, another crowd gathered armed with traditional weapons, and an UNPOL officer fired a warning shot into the air to disperse them. The action was successful and the situation returned to normal at 2030hrs. In the meantime, four gun shots were heard by UNPOL officers and members of the International Stabilisation Force near the chapel in Bairo Pite and close to the heliport. The source of the gunshots has not been not identified.

Meanwhile, the Prosecution Support Unit has reviewed the six witness statements in a murder case from earlier this year and is preparing the final report for the International Prosecutor. In addition, the Major Crimes Investigation Unit has been following up on three separate murders, identifying witnesses and taking statements in all three cases.

The Police advise that you should avoid traveling during the night to the most affected areas, in particular Bairo Pite, Fatuhada and Bebonuk. Contact the police if you see anything suspicious or any kind of problems, and avoid remaining near any disturbances. Call 112 or 7230365 to contact the police 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

This has been a daily broadcast of the UN Police in Timor-Leste, for the people of Timor-Leste.