Protesters face severe punishment

DILI, East Timor: Local police chief Col. Jusuf Muharam said yesterday that the three people arrested for an anti-government demonstration on Nov. 25 face severe punishment.

"They insulted the head of state. The maximum penalty is 20 years in jail," Muharam was quoted as saying by Antara.

The three people arrested are only teenagers, and they are expected to tell the authorities who masterminded the demonstration.

The demonstration on the Dili diocese premises was held in support of Bishop Carlos Felipe Ximenes Belo, who was holding a press conference on his controversial remarks in Der Spiegel magazine that angered Jakarta.

Muharam said authorities confiscated three banners and two knives from the suspects. (pan)