UNPol in East Timor Security Briefing 08 March 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 situation in Dili is stable with no reports of serious security incidents taking place last night or today.

Today was quiet with a total of six incidents attended to by UNPol. In one, a crowd threw rocks at the Bebonuk warehouse, but fled when UNPOL arrived. This morning, in a separate incident, one youth was arrested for unlawful possession of a weapon in Bairo Pite.

Yesterday there were some minor incidents involving crowds throwing rocks at the Bebonuk and Babora warehouses. At the Bebonuk warehouse, one UNPOL officer hit by a rock. He fired a warning shot to disperse the crowd. There were no injuries. At Babora, Formed Police Units responded quickly and dispersed the crowd. There were six arrests.

UNPOL officers, assisted by the PNTL, increased their presence on the streets of Dili as the verdict in the case of the Former Minister for the Interior Rogerio Lobato was announced yesterday. Lobato was sentenced to 7 years and 6 months imprisonment. The area around the Court of Appeal and across Dili remained stable and there are no reports of any violence connected with the verdict.

Meanwhile, in relation to the recent disturbances in Dili, the Major Crime Investigation Unit is making progress in identifying the perpetrators of the violence. A new suspect in the attacks upon the Ministry of Education has been fully identified, and further witnesses to other crimes are being sought. Please contact the police on the numbers below if you have any information.

Today in a Press Conference, the SRSG praised the people of Timor-Leste, for maintaining the calm during the past few days. Separately, in response to concerns that were raised, he pledged that UNPOL will provide equal security to all candidates in the upcoming Presidential election once all candidatures are confirmed.

The Police advise that you avoid traveling during the night to the most affected areas. Contact the police if you see anything suspicious or any kind of problems, and avoid staying 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