UN, Timorese police continue search for prison escapees
The United Nations Integrated Mission in Timor-Leste (UNMIT) today announced that police and international forces will continue the search for five people who escaped from Becora Prison in Dili, the capital, as law enforcement efforts continue across the small country.
The United Nations Integrated Mission in Timor-Leste (UNMIT) today announced that police and international forces will continue the search for five people who escaped from Becora Prison in Dili, the capital, as law enforcement efforts continue across the small country.
UN Police (UNPOL) and the International Security Forces (ISF) have set up vehicle check points across Dili. The ISF has also been conducting helicopter surveillance.
In addition, “a cordon and search operation in Liquica and other anticipated hideouts is continuing,” UNMIT said in a news release.
The five men escaped the detention facility on Saturday afternoon after climbing over the perimeter fence. A sixth man failed in his attempt to escape.
In other law enforcement news, UNMIT said over the weekend a total of 32 people were arrested across the country on a range of charges including assault, group fighting, arson, public disturbance and property damage.
The Security Council created UNMIT in August to help restore order after the deadly fighting, attributed to differences between eastern and western regions, broke out and caused the deaths of at least 37 people and forced about 155,000 others – or 15 per cent of the population – to flee their homes.
The Council mandated a police presence of some 1,600 qualified UNPOL officers coming from various countries to support the Timorese National Police through interim law enforcement, training and institutional development.