EWER Alert: Violent Confrontation Between PNTL, alleged supporters of Mauk Moruk in Laga, Baucau District

January 16, 2015

Belun’s monitoring of the security situation related to Parliamentary Resolution 5/2014, which banned illegal groups, found that on 15 January in Saelari Village, Laga Sub-District, Baucau District there was a confrontation between a Laga-based PNTL squadron and alleged supporters of Mauk Moruk, the former leader of the now-banned Revolutionary Council of Maubere (KRM), who was released from prison in December 2014.

As a result of the confrontation, a police car was burned, two police officers were captured by the alleged supporters and two other police officers, the Laga Squadron Commander and Laga Chief of Investigations, were injured and admitted to hospital in Baucau. On 16 January at 6am, community members delivered the 2 captured police officers to Prime Minister and Minister of Defence and Security Xanana Gusmao, who had travelled to Saelari Village to seek their release.

You can download the Alert here.

Disclaimers: Information in this Alert reflects what has been gathered and verified by Belun’s monitoring network as of 2pm on 16 January. Belun is continuing to monitor the situation and will release updates when further information becomes available.