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Suspects in bomb plot risk capital punishment

Source
South China Morning Post - October 28, 1997

Jenny Grant, Jakarta – Two East Timorese men could face the death penalty if found guilty of trying to topple the Government through terrorism.

"Both Constancio Costa dos Santos, alias Aquito, and Paulo Jorge Pereira will face subversion charges with a possible maximum sentence of the death penalty," said Martanto, head of East Timor's prosecution office, in the Jakarta Post yesterday.

The suspects were arrested when they arrived in the East Timorese capital of Dili from the Central Java town of Semarang on September 15.

Military authorities caught the two carrying 20 homemade bombs made in Demak, Central Java. Police also seized 44 rounds of ammunition for M-16 rifles and 24 bullets for Colt 31 and FN-45 pistols.

"The bombs were produced using simple technology but were powerful enough to demolish a high-rise building," said military commander Colonel Salamat Sidabutar.

The military claims the two planned to bomb several strategic locations in Dili, including the venue where the new East Timor Governor was sworn into office on September 17.

They were caught after a bomb accidentally exploded at a house in Demak on September 13. It had been rented since 1996 by four members of the Associacio Socialista de Timor, a paramilitary group demanding a free East Timor.

Armed Forces spokesman Brigadier-General Wahab Mokodongan said last week that the group was financed by Avelino Maria Coelho da Silva, who is secretary-general of the organisation.

He alleged that an Australian explosives expert came to Indonesia to help the group make the bombs.

"In May this year Avelino invited an Australian instructor, identified only as Geoffrey, to train the youths to produce the bombs for one month," said General Mokodongan.

Two members of the group, including Mr Avelino, escaped to the Austrian Embassy in Jakarta on September 19 seeking political asylum. Four of their relatives are also inside the embassy.

Foreign Minister Ali Alatas has said the Government will not allow the two allegedly involved in the bomb plot to leave Indonesia when they are facing criminal charges. The Government has asked Austria to hand over the two suspects.

Austrian diplomats were unavailable to comment on the state of the group or their asylum bid.

More than 100 East Timorese have fled Indonesia through foreign embassies in Indonesia in the past year. Most of them have received political asylum in Portugal, the former colonial power in East Timor.

Last week Brigadier Mokodongan accused Nobel laureate Jose Ramos Horta of being directly involved in the terrorist plot. He has denied the accusation.

Justice Minister Oetoyo Oesman said he did not believe the jailed leader of the Fretilin resistance movement, Xanana Gusmao, who was captured five years ago, was involved in the alleged bombing plan, the Kompas daily reported yesterday.

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