E Timor urged to investigate assassination 'execution' claims

ABC News today
15.08.2008

Posted 2 hours 4 minutes ago

East Timor's main opposition party, Fretilin, is calling for an independent international investigation into the assassination attempt on the country's leadership in February.

The call comes after the autopsy report of rebel leader Alfredo Reinado indicated that he was executed rather than shot from a distance by security forces during the presidential assassination attempt.

The report obtained by The Australian newspaper shows Reinado and one of his top rebels were shot at point blank range.

Senior Fretilin MP Jose Texeira told Radio Australia's Asia Pacific program there were more questions than answers surrounding the events of February 11.

He said there should be an international panel investigating the attack on East Timor's President and Prime Minister.

"We need an international investigation in order to overcome all of these questions of impartiality of all those involved in an investigation," he said.

"I think people are looking forward to justice and a credible process to take its course, and I think that for allegations as startling as this to come out is a concern to us all.

"The Parliament has provided an indicator to the Government that it should be an international investigation.

"As long as political leaders figures maintain level heads and insist on a transparent and independent investigation I think that could minimise any political tensions."