Jail Breakout Over Delays
The Age
Saturday August 17, 2002
Dili
Almost the entire population of East Timor's main jail broke out yesterday in protest against the long delays in processing their cases.
One prisoner was shot in the shoulder and two guards were injured when about 300 prisoners escaped during visiting hours at Becora prison on the outskirts of Dili. By last night, about 200 had been recaptured.
The breakout underlined a flawed legacy of the United Nations, which brought East Timor to independence without building an adequate justice system. Most prisoners are on remand and their main grievance is that they are in prison beyond the legal limit. Some have been awaiting trial for more than two years. There is a shortage of judges and other court officials, and a long waiting list of cases.
Sixty prisoners were taken back to cells early in the breakout. About 150 who gathered in a deserted building nearby were surrounded by hundreds of East Timorese and UN police. About 100 others ran away.
Internal Affairs Minister Rogerio Lobato said the government would urgently review the prisoners' cases. "As prisoners these people have lost their liberty, but they haven't lost their right to a fair trial."
© 2002 The Age