UNPol in East Timor Security Briefing 29 August 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 as a whole

has been calm, but the situation in Viqueque and Metinaro remains tense.

Today in Dili, UNPol attended three incidents.

These included a fight behind the Bairo Pite police station. The groups fled upon the appearance of the police. Police then spoke to groups from Samatana village to persuade them not to use violence.

Early this morning, unidentified people set fire to a house in Raikuak village. Police are searching for the perpetrators.

Last night in Dili, there were sporadic incidents of rock throwing in Bebonuk and Comoro.  Three UN vehicles were also damaged by rocks whilst parked near the cathedral in Vila Verde. A total of 28 people were arrested in Dili yesterday, eight for rock throwing in Vila Verde and Bairo Pite, and several more as part of a joint operation by the International Security Force (ISF) and UNPol in Bebonuk.

Yesterday in Viqueque, an unidentified person set fire to a 43-year-old man’s house in Uma Quic village. The damage to the house was not severe. Police are investigating.

Yesterday in Same, Manufahi, three men were arrested and questioned by UNPol in relation to an assault that took place on 27 August in Sesauri village.

Yesterday in Maliana, Bobonaro, police arrested three men in relation to an attempted burglary from a college and an assault on one of the students.

United Nations police officers in conjunction with the PNTL and the ISF 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.