Police arrest 9 for market fire

DILI, East Timor: Police have arrested nine people for allegedly burning down a market Saturday night, Antara reported yesterday.

East Timor police chief Col. Jusuf Mucharam said the nine were being questioned. He said the police had questioned 15 witnesses.

Jusuf said the suspects came from Dili, Baucau and Viqueque.

Witnesses testified that they saw the suspects buy gasoline and rent a car before leaving for Dili. Police confiscated the car, some containers of gasoline, matches and an amulet from the suspects.

Jusuf said that Fretilin rebel leader David Alex, who lives in Baucau, about 130 kilometers east of here, masterminded the market fire.

"David Alex ordered the suspects to instigate unrest by burning markets and attacking military posts," Jusuf said.

Fire raged in Dili's old market for two hours Saturday evening, destroying 190 of 322 kiosks and the market office. It was the fourth fire to hit the market. The previous fires were in 1974, 1987, and 1991.

Dili Mayor Mateus Maia said the fire had caused around Rp 5 billion (US$2 million) worth of damage. "Reconstruction of the market will cost us Rp 1.5 billion," he added.

The market, popularly known as Mercado, was built by the Portuguese colonial government in 1910. (amd)