Xanana's driver's trial postponed<\/p>\n
DILI, East Timor: The district court adjourned on Thursday the
\ntrial of a man they say was the driver of imprisoned rebel leader
\nJose Alexandre Xanana Gusmao, citing poor health on the part of
\nthe accused and the ongoing civil unrest in the East Timorese
\ncapital.<\/p>\n
Hendrique B Da Costa is accused of assisting pro-independence
\nrebels. The prosecution alleges that he worked as Xanana's driver
\nprior to the rebel leader's capture by security forces.<\/p>\n
The court said it had adjourned the trial because the city of
\nDili was not secure as a result of the ongoing ethnic and
\nreligious violence and that the accused was in poor health,
\nAntara reported. The adjournment was the second in a week.<\/p>\n
\"It is impossible to try a sick defendant. Besides, security
\ndoes not allow it at the moment,\" prosecutor B. Sudiro said.
\n\"Besides, the accused is the assistant of Xanana, who has ardent
\nsupporters in the area,\" he added.<\/p>\n
In a previous trial session, Hendrique denied that he had been
\nXanana's driver, maintaining that he was a farmer. (pan)<\/p>",
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