David Alex's relatives demand proof of 'death'

DILI (JP): Relatives of East Timor rebel leader David Alex, who the military say they fatally wounded in a gun battle on June 26, are demanding that the authorities explain what happened to him.

In a letter to East Timor military chief Col. Salamat Sidabutar, they said they could not accept the authorities' account of Alex's death because they had not been shown his body.

Copies of the letter, signed by Catarina Ximenes, Manuel Mira, Igidio da Costa Jeronimo and Carmelinda da Costa, were sent to Armed Forces Chief Gen. Feisal Tanjung and Dili Bishop Carlos Filipe Ximenes Belo.

"We believe David Alex is still alive. If he died, why don't we get his body. We were not even invited to his funeral," the letter said.

They demanded that the military prove Alex's death by showing them the grave and returning his body.

Alex, 48, was reportedly shot in the thigh and arm on June 26 when he and his five other fellow rebels were raided in a cave at 11 a.m. by soldiers in Caibada village, Baucau.

He reportedly bled to death in Dili's Wira Husada Hospital later that evening at about 7 p.m. Alex's five colleagues were captured unhurt.

Contacted by The Jakarta Post in his office yesterday, Sidabutar confirmed that he had received the letter. He said the relatives should have gone straight to him initially for information on Alex's death.

Sidabutar claimed that the International Committee of the Red Cross and local Ministry of Social Services office had taken Alex's body to the Bidau Santa Ana cemetery for burial.

"I could even show them the photographs taken when he was shot and treated in the hospital. We will take them to the cemetery. A Catholic priest was there to lead the funeral service," he said.

Alex's 15 year-old son, Alcino da Costa, told reporters yesterday in the Santa Ana cemetery that he had gone to the funeral but the authorities had not let him see the corpse.

"They said it was my father but I can't be sure unless I see his face," Alcino said.

AFP reported yesterday that Human Rights Watch/Asia called Wednesday for a full account of all arrests in East Timor in the last month and information on Alex's death.

The New York-based organization also urged an independent investigation into all violence in East Timor since the May 29 general election.

"The lack of clarity on events in which more than 40 people have been killed and more than 150 arrested since the end of May itself underscores the need for an independent investigation," Human Rights Watch/Asia Executive Director Sidney Jones said. (33/aan)