E. Timor soldiers found dead

E. Timor soldiers found dead

DILI, East Timor: The bodies of two Armed Forces members, who
were kidnapped by an unidentified group of youths in Vemasse
subdistrict in Baucau district on March 6, have been found, the
military said.

"They were buried in Bucoli village," 113 kilometers east of
here, Dili Military Commander Col. Tono Suratman said here on
Thursday, Antara reported. He added that the decomposing bodies
of Sgt. Katamir and Cpl. Nasikin, which were brought to the Dili
Wirahusada Hospital, were found Thursday morning after three
suspects were arrested.

He said an autopsy was being conducted, after which the bodies
were to be given a military burial at the Fili Heroes' cemetery.

The two members were kidnapped while they were heading to Dili
from Baucau aboard a bus. Their bus was stopped by youths who
beat the Armed Forces members, seized their pistols and
disappeared with their victims.

Tono accused The National Resistance Council for an
Independent East Timor (CNRT), of being responsible for the
abduction and murders, saying that the victims, judging from the
condition of their bodies, had been tortured to death.