Timorese jailed for protests

DILI, East Timor: Three young men who held an anti-government demonstration in front of visiting foreign journalists last April have been sentenced to 20 months imprisonment by a court.

Pantaleon Amaral, 18 years old, Isak Soares, 22, and Miguel de Deus, 20, were found guilty of creating public disorder and fueling separatist sentiments through their actions in front of a hotel where the journalists stayed.

The government prosecutors had earlier demanded 30 months in jail for each of the three.

A fourth person who was believed to have masterminded the demonstration was still at large. (yac/arf)