Louise Williams, Jakarta – A third political activist has confirmed the existence of an interrogation centre near Jakarta, where torture allegedly is being used against kidnapped opponents of the Soeharto regime.

Mr Desmond Mahesa, a human rights lawyer, told a news conference yesterday he had been threatened with death if he revealed details of his experience in the two months he was missing from February this year.

Nevertheless, he said he was tortured with electric shocks and beatings. Mr Mahesa said at least four other activists were imprisoned in the windowless cells while he was there, including Mr Pius Lustrilangang, who has fled Indonesia since exposing the existence of the centre.

"I'm scared," Mr Mahesa said. "We'll see now how good is the promise of the Government to guarantee my safety. I was kidnapped by people who are well organised. When I was released, I was given a pager and told I had to report my location every day and I would be killed if I told the truth."

He released the pager's number to scores of journalists.