More shootings by Indonesian military at Timor-Leste citizens engaging in illegal trade

East Timor Legal News 13/11/2011 Source: Suara Timor Lorosae 7 Nov 2011 - TNI shoots at residents of Naktuka - Deputy Timorese Police Commander, Commissioner of Police Afonso de Jesus, confirmed that the Indonesian National Force (TNI), shot at residents in Naktuka in Oe-Cusse District who were conducting illegal business and crossed the border.

De Jesus explained that the incident happened last month when a car drooped 160 kg of tamarind to sell in Oepoli, Kupang in Indonesia.

“Usually our people conduct illegal business at the border of Timor-Leste and Kupang. There were four Timorese who dropped 160kg of tamarind who were detained by TNI when they crossed the border illegally and were on the way to Kupang,”

“TNI detained them in the area of Indonesia. They were assaulted and asked to report themselves at the security post, but they escaped and went into Timor-Leste territory and that was why they (TNI) shoot at the car eight times,” de Jesus said.

De Jesus added that no one was injured or killed in the incident, adding that the problem had been resolved by the Border Unit Police and TNI.

Jorge de Carvalho, a brother of one of the victims confirmed that the incident really happened as TNI shoot at his big brother Reinado de Carvalho and his friends when they dropped tamarind in Kupang.

ETLJB Editor's Note: Indonesian soldiers shoot at truck at border