Three men, Virgilio dos Santos Pinto, Cancio da Costa and Gil Fernandes, arrested on or around 14 June 1997, are believed to be in military custody in the town of Los Palos, East Timor, where they are at serious risk of torture or ill-treatment. Another seven men, Lorencio Monteiro, Sergio Paul Dias, Aurelio Mendes, Jose da Costa, Joao da Costa, Aurelio and Aleco Neves, are also reported to have been recently arrested in the region of Los Palos. There is no information on their whereabouts, raising fears that they too may be at risk of torture or ill-treatment.

Virgilio dos Santos Pinto, Cancio da Costa and Gil Fernandes were detained by members of the Special Forces, Kopassus, during house-to-house searches by the Indonesian security forces in the village of Soru, approximately five kilometres from Los Palos. The searches followed a series of attacks on military and civilian targets by Falintil - the armed opposition group fighting for East Timorese independence. The three men were taken to the Kopassus detention centre in Los Palos, known locally as Mess Gula. Amnesty International has received testimonies in the past from people who have been tortured or ill-treated in this detention centre and believes that it is likely that the three men arrested from Soru will be facing such treatment. They are not believed to have been permitted access to lawyers or to members of their families.

The precise reasons for the arrest of all ten men is unclear, but it is believed to be in relation to the attacks by Falintil.

Background information

In recent weeks there has been an increase in reported attacks by Falintil against military and government targets. Over 40 people, including civilians, members of the armed forces, the police force and of Falintil, have been killed during the attacks.

Amnesty International condemns the attacks on civilians by Falintil. However, the organization is concerned that retaliation by the Indonesian security forces may spread beyond those directly responsible for the killings and result in the arrest of people who have been involved only in peaceful activities in support of East Timorese independence.

Since the attacks the military authorities are believed to have arrested over 100 individuals, many of whom have been released after short periods in detention.

Torture or ill-treatment of political detainees in East Timor in both police or military custody is routine. The risk is particularly high during interrogation when detainees are commonly denied access to legal counsel and to their families. The risk is further exacerbated by the restrictions placed by the Indonesian authorities on access to East Timor for independent human rights monitors.