Jailbird pursued

Jailbird pursued

DILI, East Timor: The authorities are still searching for Jose
da Costa, a Dili prison inmate who escaped during a riot in
January, Antara reported.

Benny J. Mathaus, chief of the Ministry of Justice's
provincial office, said here last week that the manhunt would
continue until Da Costa is recaptured. He also said that the
escapee is believed to have returned to his home in the Baucau
regency.

"He'd better turn himself in, because sooner or later we'll
get him back," Mathaus said.

Da Costa escaped along with seven other prisoners who, like
him, were convicted for their involvement in a number of riots in
the province. Da Costa's fellow escapees have already been
recaptured.

"If Da Costa doesn't turn himself in, then, when we get him
back, we won't give him the annual review granted to prisoners,"
Mathaus said. (rms)