[Please note that this item was included to provide an example of the Indonesian media's anti-Australian campaign and is not intended to be taken as a serious news report - James Balowski.]
Jakarta – Australian troops have reportedly detained and tortured six anti-independence militiamen and civilians in East Timor on their way to refugee camps in the neighboring province of East Nusa Tenggara (NTT).
Antara reported yesterday that among the six victims, three of them were civilians from the NTT town of Atambua and the rest were members of the pro-autonomy group Aitarak.
They were the latest victims of alleged brutality by Australian troops tasked by the United Nations with restoring law and order in the violence-racked territory of East Timor.
Earlier last week, Australian soldiers burned to death a militiaman and tortured several others in a port in the province's capital of Dili.
The six victims of the latest torture were identified as Jonny R Eden, Yani Ndoen, Luis Seru, Lorenso Gomes, Caitano da Silva and Joao Ximenes. The six civilians were detained on Wednesday as they loaded a car with goods, then were tortured in different places in Dili.
Jonny, Luis and Lorenso were released on Friday in Dili's Comoro Airport, but because they were afraid of being killed by pro-independence supporters, Jonny and Lorenso decided to stay in the airport. Luis, who decided to leave the place, is reported missing.
The rest are still being detained by Interfet troops. Both Jonny and Lorenso were then transported by the Indonesian Defense Forces (TNI) to Atambua along with other refugees from Ermera district.
Jonny was quoted as saying the troops detained them after pro-independence supporters informed the troops that the six civilians were members of the pro-autonomy militia and had committed some killings.
The pro-independence supporters in Dili took part in Interfet's patrol in Dili. "In every Interfet truck or tank, there are some supporters of the pro-independence group in front carrying guns. While in Farol beach, Falintil were also patrolling carrying guns."
The Australia-led International Force for East Timor (Interfet) arrived last week to restore order and security in the rampaged