10 April 2010

Court frees a defendant of mutilation charges

Televizaun Timor-Leste April 8, 2010 language source: Tetun - A court in Suai has decided to give total freedom to Ivan Bere who was involved in a mutilation case against Emílio Noronha.

The decision of the court outraged the family members of Noronha.

Maria da Costa said that she did not agree with the decision of the court to give total freedom to Ivan Bere who was clearly involved in mutilating his uncle Noronha.

“We as family members of the victim did not agree with the decision of the judge to give total freedom to Ivan Bere who admitted during the hearings that he was involved in mutilating my uncle,” said da Costa.

She said that her uncle was mutilated for something he did not do and therefore the perpetrator should be punished.

Emílio Noronha, 35 years old, was killed and then mutilated by Iven Bere and Daniel Maia on May 5, 2009 in Manequim village of Suai Loro in Kovalima.

According to Bere, Noronha was killed because he had sexually harassed his wife, an allegation that was not proved during the trial process.

The decision of the court was read by judge Renato Bere on March 10, 2010 in which it imposed 10 years imprisonment for Daniel Maia but a total acquittal to Ivan Bere.

It is not clear whether appeal against the decision has been made by the family members of the victim.

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