The East Timor Human Rights Centre (ETHRC) holds grave fears for the safety of seven East Timorese men arrested between 29 and 30 May, 1997, in the sub-district of Atabae, Bobonaro. The arrests are believed to be part of the repercussions which have followed the wave of violence surrounding the the recent Indonesian election.

Ernesto Soares, Antonio Barros, Francisco Martins, Hermenegildo Pereira, Afonso Alitalo, Baptista Guterres and Jacinto Barros were arrested by members of KODIM (District Military Command) and the Rajawali battalion (Special Command Forces) and taken to KODIM headquarters in Maliana where it is believed they have been subjected to torture. It is believed they were arbitrarily arrested for refusing to vote in the Indonesian election.