Incineration of press vehicle in Dili probed

Incineration of press vehicle in Dili probed

DILI, East Timor: Police say they are investigating the
incineration of a Kijang van belonging to the daily Suara Timor
Timur (Voice of East Timor) outside the newspaper's office in the
early hours on Saturday.

Reporters working for the newspaper said the incident was the
latest act of intimidation which they have been subjected to
since the newspaper began publication in February last year.

The newspaper and its reporters have been receiving anonymous
threatening letters in recent months.

They believe that these acts were in response to some of the
critical reports which the newspaper has carried.

The van was believed to have been incinerated after gasoline
was poured over it. A bottle smelling of gasoline was found
underneath the engine. (yac/emb)