The officer involved in the recent shooting of a member of the Defense Force (F-FDTL) in Ainaro municipality has been fired from the National Police of Timor-Leste (PNTL).
PNTL Commander Commissioner Julio da Costa Hornai said the sacking was justified as it was a serious crime.
“The commander will fire this officer and the institution will not lose anything without members that are involved in grave cases like this,” said Hornai in Fatuhada, Dili.
He said the security institution had a role to protect and serve people and their country, not to harm people.
Meanwhile, he said the suspect was already in preventive detention and had been suspended from duty.
The incident occurred in Ainaro municipality on 26 August at 9pm while police and defense members were having a party. The officer survived and was treated at hospital.
Hornai has since apologized to the F-FDTL, as well as the victim and his family. He also promised to impose a suitable sentence for the suspect.
Meanwhile, Deputy General Commander of the F-FDTL General-Brigadier Filomino Paixao called on both institutions to resolve their differences in order to prevent further incidents occurring in the future. He also suggested further analysis be conducted to determine the weaknesses and challenges within both institutions.
“By conducting this analysis we can know where the problems are so we can identify and resolve it,” he said.
So far this year there has been 21 violent incidents involving members of the PNTL and F-FDTL across the country.
Paixao said both institutions had an important role and must set a good example for the wider society.
