The East Timor Human Rights Centre (ETHRC) has received a report from a reliable source that Lucas da Costa, 49, an East Timorese professor from Surabaya, Indonesia, who disappeared on 23 December, 1997, has been released after being arbitrarily detained by the Indonesian authorities.

According to the report, which is still unconfirmed, Lucas was subjected to serious psychological pressure and torture while in detention and he appears to be extremely traumatized by his experience. The report states: "He looks so scared and does not go any-where but locks himself in his house with all curtains closed."

The ETHRC holds grave concerns for his physical and psychological well-being and believes he may have been pressured into not revealing details of his arrest and treatment in detention. The ETHRC is making further inquiries about Lucas da Costa's detention and his current state of physical and mental health.