Two Australians deported

Two Australians deported

KUPANG, East Nusa Tenggara: The immigration office in the East Nusa Tenggara capital of Kupang has reportedly deported two Australians -- Paul McCarthy and John Kevin Enis -- for violating immigration regulations.

"We have marked the passports of the two Australians with red ink. They have political objectives, so we have to deport them. They have also overstayed their visa," said the acting head of the Kupang Immigration office, Immanuel Pulungan, on Wednesday.

Immanuel further accused McCarthy of inciting East Timorese refugees staying in the city to stage demonstrations in front of the immigration office recently.

Another immigration official, Surya Pranata, said McCarthy had proposed an extension of their temporary stay permits to provincial governor Piet A. Tallo, but the proposal was turned down.

"Before the governor issued his recommendation (to refuse the permit extension), McCarthy mobilized East Timorese refugees to terrorize us. He urged them to press us to extend their visas," said Immanuel.

Surya said that apart from violating an immigration regulation, Enis had also tried to encourage some 30 East Timorese to enter Australia illegally. -- Antara