UN Police and International Security Forces Move to Apprehend Escapees from Becora Prison
30 August 2006, DILI— Immediately after receiving information that an estimated 57 prisoners, including Major Alfredo Reinado escaped from Becora Prison, just east of Dili, United Nations Police (UNPOL) and international security forces mounted a wide-spread search effort.
Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Timor-Leste Sukehiro Hasegawa said that "the United Nations and the International Security Forces have agreed to work closely together and coordinate efforts on recapturing all the prisoners who escaped."
UN Acting Police Commissioner Antero Lopes said that the main preoccupation of the joint efforts of the United Nations Police and the International Security Forces is to apprehend the escaped prisoners through intensified operations throughout Dili and the surrounding areas.
Acting UNPOL Commissioner Lopes strongly urged the population to contact the UN Police or the International Security Forces should they have any information about the escaped prisoners.
International forces under bilateral arrangements have been providing external security for the Becora Prison.
For additional information, please contact:
Donna Cusumano, Chief, Public Information Office, UNMIT; +670 723 0749