Indonesia Arrests Linked to East Timor Assassination Attempts

By Hayley Campbell
Impunity Watch Reporter, Oceania

JAKARTA, Indonesia — Three East Timorese soldiers were arrested Friday in Indonesia for having a possible hand in the assassination attempts on East Timor’s President and Prime Minister in February. The arrests follow allegations made Thursday that the shooting may have involved “Indonesian elements.”

On February 11, rebel soldiers attacked President Horta during his morning walk, shooting him twice in the back. The Prime Minister, Xanana Gusmao, was also attacked but escaped unharmed. The President returned on Thursday after a two month recovery in Darwin, Australia.

Although details surrounding the Indonesian arrests remain unclear, Indonesia’s President, Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, said the arrested suspects entered Indonesia illegally after the February attacks. The three men, Egidio Lay Carvalho, Jose Gomes, and Ismail Moniz Soares, are ex-soldiers of the East Timorese army.
Photo courtesy of BBC News
Indonesian_prez_2President Horta told journalists Thursday that while the shooters were thought to be hiding in East Timor, he believed “Indonesian elements” may be involved. President Yudhoyono was surprised at the allegations, stating that the two countries had been collaborating secretly to catch the suspects.

“I had instructed my ministers and police chiefs not to disclose that information to the public in order to give an opportunity to the Indonesian police to find these suspects,” President Yudhoyono said.

While President Horta has been careful with his accusations, President Yudhoyono has warned that any allegations implicating the state of Indonesia itself, maybe hurt relations between the two countries.

The arrested men are among 600 soldiers turned rebels after their jobs were lost for protesting alleged discrimination during a 2006 strike. The army became divided along factional lines, and disputes erupted into violence which killed 37 and drove 150,000 from their homes.

To listen to President Horta describe the shooting, click here

For more information, please see:
ABC News — Indonesia arrests 3 over E Timor attacks — 19 April 2008

Reuters — Indonesia says arrests 3 for attacks on E.Timor leaders — 18 April 2008

BBC News — Indonesia arrests E Timor rebels — 18 April 2008

Radio Netherlands Worldwide — Indonesia arrests 3 East Timorese soldiers — 18 April 2008

Author: Impunity Watch Archive