The East Timor Human Rights Centre still holds grave fears for the safety of Ildefonso de Deus dos Santos (also known as "Maudino"), a 17 year old student who disappeared on 14 July in Gleno in the Ermera district of East Timor. Maudino disappeared during house to house raids conducted by Indonesian soldiers following a fire at the Gleno market. It is believed he has either been arbitrarily detained or killed. According to his family, Maudino is completely innocent and was not involved either in the fire or any clandestine activities. The ETHRC has just received confirmation that Maudino has not been seen since he disappeared in July 1996 and that he is still missing. In November 1996, the Indonesian authorities claimed that Ildefonso de Deus dos Santos was not detained but that he was "free, fit and well". * It is believed that local authorities in Ermera have not responded to his family's regular appeals for help.

*in a communication with Amnesty International