UNPol in East Timor Security Briefing 20 July 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 across the country has been relatively calm.

Today in Dili district, UNPol were required to attend four incidents. None were serious. Two were minor traffic accidents. The third occurred when an F-FDTL soldier apprehended a 16-year-old boy who was attempting the steal a motorbike from Formento warehouse. The soldier contacted UNPol, who took the suspect into custody. The fourth was a report of children throwing rocks at houses behind the Japanese Embassy.

Yesterday in Dili, police arrested six people in Comoro market, four for theft and two for identification purposes. Police also attended isolated incidents of rock throwing and fighting overnight. After 0220hrs, there were no more incidents.

Yesterday in Ainaro, a 40-year-old man was stabbed in Maubisse market. He was taken to Maubisse clinic and then transferred to Dili hospital. Police arrested the man suspected of the stabbing and are investigating further.

In Bobonaro, the body of 30-year-old man was discovered seven kilometres from Maliana in the Iljal jungle. The man has been identified, and apparently has been missing since 4 July 2007. Police are investigating.

In Liquica, police brought two men in a dispute over land in Darulete village to their suco chiefs for further mediation. Separately, a 23-year-old man in Menato sub-village, Maubara, handed in a home-made pistol to local police. He claimed that he had found the weapon in Faulara village.

UNPol, PNTL and the ISF are working together to provide security to the people of Timor-Leste. The UNPol Election Security Plan is currently in Phase Four, the post-polling phase. UNPol, PNTL and Formed Police Units remain deployed and are on stand-by for any post-polling clashes or victory processions. The International Stabilisation Forces are also on stand-by, ready to be deployed on request.

The police would also like to remind the people of Timor-Leste that they require valid driving licenses before they are allowed to drive on the roads. All vehicles should also display valid license plates. These measures are in place to help ensure road safety.

The Police advise to avoid traveling during the night to the most affected areas. Report any suspicious activities and avoid traveling the areas affected by 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.