Situation tense in Timor-Leste in wake of deadly weekend shootings – UN

Although the overall security situation in Timor-Leste is stable, the district of Viequeque remains tense in the wake of two deadly shootings over the weekend, according to the United Nations peacekeeping operation in the country which the world body ushered to independence in 2002.

UN Police (UNPOL) conducted 43 patrols and responded to five incidents in the capital Dili today, and reported no injuries or damage to property, the UN Mission in Timor-Leste (UNMIT) said.

UNPOL is also continuing its investigation into the two killings that took place in Viqueque over the weekend, and officers from the Major Crime Investigation Unit are working with forensics experts and other officers from the National Investigation Unit who arrived in the district today.

The first shooting took place one hour after a campaign rally for the National Congress for Reconstruction of Timor-Leste (CNRT) concluded. Following altercations between CNRT supporters and their opponents, one man was shot dead in a marketplace.

UNMIT said the man is believed to have been shot by an off-duty officer of the National Police of Timor-Leste (PNTL) and a search is under way to apprehend the person responsible.

The second deadly incident occurred when a group of CNRT supporters, accompanied by former President Xanana Gusmão who heads the party, returned the body of the deceased man to his hometown of Ossu. Initial reports said that PNTL members fired shots to control a crowd and a 24-year-old man was killed while a 16-year-old was injured.

Earlier this week, the Government stressed that it will not tolerate retaliation for the shootings, and reiterated its call for political supporters to remain calm, said UNMIT’s acting head, Eric Tan.