Up to thirteen East Timorese men are believed to be still in detention in Semarang and Dili following two recent incidents involving home-made bombs.
In Semarang, nine East Timorese are being detained at POLDA (the local police station) following their arrest on or about 14 September for their alleged involvement in a bomb blast in a house in Demak, east Semarang. The group includes two East Timorese men whose names were previously unknown, Joao Bosco Carceres and Acelino (no surname). It is believed lawyers from YLBHI, representing Joao Bosco Carceres, Acelino, Domingos Natalino Coehlo da Silva and Nuno dos Santos, were refused permission to see their clients on the grounds of 'state security'. It is not clear whether charges have been brought against them under Indonesian law.
Amnesty International has confirmed that Laurindo Albino da Costa Lourdes (previously Laurindo Alkino Da Costa) who was believed to have been arrested in Semarang was not in fact arrested, while an ETHRC source has confirmed that Julio Santana has now been released. Appeals on their behalf should cease.
In Dili, the four men who were arrested on about 16 September in relation to their alleged possession of eleven bombs are believed to be still in detention at POLRES (Regional Police Headquarters) in Dili. The detainees are Constancio Chantal dos Santos, Jojo dos Santos, Francisco Caldeira and a fourth man, whose identity is still unclear. The ETHRC identified him as Jose Ximenes while Amnesty International has reported that he is Eduardo (no surname). The ETHRC is still trying to confirm his identity.
It is believed Constancio Chantal dos Santos and Jojo dos Santos are being held under Articles 106, 108 and 110 of the Indonesian Criminal Code (KUHP) for rebellion against the state, and under Article 1, UU Decrit No 12 1961, in relation to the use of weapons. Grave fears are held for the safety of Constancio Chantal dos Santos because it has been alleged he was carrying correspondence from Xanana Gusmao, the jailed East Timorese Resistance leader, at the time of his arrest.
Reliable ETHRC sources have reported that all thirteen detainees have been subjected to torture in order to extract confessions. It is believed all of the Semarang detainees have been subjected to electric shock. Constancio Chantal dos Santos has also been subjected to electric shock and has had two fingers severed. The ETHRC holds grave fears for the safety of all thirteen men as they may be subjected to further torture if they are not allowed immediate access to legal representation. The ETHRC is also concerned that some of the detainees may have been arbitrarily detained as it is not clear whether they have all been charged under Indonesian law. Those detainees who have not been charged with a recognisable offence under Indonesian law should be immediately released.