Simon Ingram, Bali – A leading activist for independence in East Timor has fled the territory with members of his family saying he intends to seek asylum in Australia.

The departure of Manual Carrascalao came only days after his son and a number of other people were killed in an attack by pro-Jakarta militias on his home in the East Timorese capital, Dili. He is now in Bali enroute for Jakarta.

A squad of heavily armed paramilitary police rushed Manual Carrascalao, his 20-year old daughter and half a dozen other family members onto the airliner waiting on the tarmac of Dili airport.

The former MP and prominent supporter of East Timorese independence has been sheltering at police headquarters in Dili for fear that he could be targeted again by pro-Jakarta militias who have killed dozens of people in recent weeks.

Continuing insecurity

Speaking to reporters on the plane, Mr Carrascalao said he was sad to be leaving at a time when the people of East Timor needed him most. He could hardly forget, he said, that there were thousands of other Timorese facing the same dangers as himself who did not have the opportunity to escape.

Mr Carrascalao's departure is testimony to the continuing state of fear and insecurity in East Timor, inspite of Tuesday's announcement of a date for a ballot on autonomy for the former Portuguese colony.

The pro-independence movement says the ballot date of 8 August is too late and will allow the pro-Jakarta militias to step up their brutal campaign either to abort the vote altogether or to ensure a result in favour of continuous ties with Jakarta.