Timor trader jailed for subversive act

DILI, East Timor (JP): A district court here yesterday sentenced a 20-year-old man to 20 months in jail for participating in an anti-government demonstration last April.

Rosalino dos Santos was found guilty of creating public disorder and fueling separatist sentiments through his actions in front of a hotel where foreign journalists were staying.

As soon as Judge AAGL Adhyana read the verdict, Rosalino, a trader with only an elementary school education, said that he could not accept the verdict.

"I'm not guilty so I reject the verdict," said the defendant who never expressed his regret for the alleged anti-government activities during the hearings.

The verdict said Rosalino helped plan the demonstration during a meeting at the house of Pedro de Fatima, the day before the demonstration took place on April 14.

The defendant also urged his friends to unfurl anti-government posters in front of foreign journalists at Hotel Mahkota and contacted foreign journalists who were staying both there and at Hotel Tourismo seeking coverage.

Rosalino had earlier told the court that he hoped that the coverage would attract foreign support for the independence of East Timor.

The defendant also admitted that he was a member of UJETIL (Juventude das Estudantes de Timor Leste), a subsidiary of the Fretilin separatist movement.

The court, which was presided over by Yusna Maitysia, had previously jailed other three demonstrators, Pantaleon Amaral, 18, Isak Soaresm, 22, and Miguel de Deus, 20.

In an earlier session, prosecutor Benedictus Suryo Husodo asked the court to sentence Rosalino to 30 months.

The court will also hand down verdicts for the other two defendants being tried for the same charge. (yac/prs)