Nine people arrested over Ambeno riot

DILI (JP): Nine East Timorese have been arrested for their roles in the Feb. 21 riot in the western town of Ambeno that claimed one life, police said yesterday.

East Timor Police Chief Col. Yusuf Mucharam said the authorities had also intensified the questioning of another three they suspected of triggering the rampage.

The three are members of the organizing committee of the Feb. 19 post-Idul Fitri gathering at which the trouble started.

"One of those detained is the one who stabbed Mahmud Abu to death," Yusuf told The Jakarta Post.

The riot erupted three days after a local priest, Lazarus Mau, was served a box of leftovers and chicken bones at the post-Idul Fitri gathering attended mostly by Bugis migrants from South Sulawesi.

Lazarus has said he did not consider the leftover-box incident serious but, to his shock, people took offense and vented their anger at the Moslem Bugis community.

Eighty-six Bugis people's houses were torched in the violence. More than 350 Bugis fled back to their homes in South Sulawesi last week.

Yusuf said that 10 Bugis were currently holed up in the Ambeno police and military offices for protection.

According to the police chief, the riot was fueled by people who meant to discredit the Ambeno townspeople. (33/pan)