Lisbon – The eight East Timorese who have sought shelter one week ago at the Spanish embassy in Jakarta left to Portugal on Thursday, a source at the diplomatic mission told Lusa.

The youth, with ages ranging from 18 to 29, are expected to arrive in Lisbon on Friday.

The International Red Cross Committee organised the trip to Portugal. In the last two years, more than 140 Timorese travelled to Portugal after seeking refuge at foreign embassies in the Indonesian capital.