The National Police of Timor-Leste (PNTL) have captured two suspects who allegedly attacked a member of the defense force (F-FDTL) in Dili with a machete, injuring his hand.
The incident occurred on January 15, 2016 when the officer was attacked by a group of youths in Becora while on the way to his office.
Second Commander of Dili municipality, Superintendent Assistant Euclides Belo said the two suspects were arrested after police spoke with 30 witnesses to the incident.
He said information provided to the PNTL by witnesses had led to the capture of the two suspects, believed to be the main perpetrators in the case.
Both suspects were captured on January 17, 2017 in Baucau municipality.
Belo said the suspects were detained by police for 72 hours before being handed over to the court for interrogation.
Meanwhile, national MP Cesar Valente said he was disappointed by the attitude of the young people involved in the case.
He said the suspects had tried to take another person’s life and therefore called for an in-depth investigation to determine who carried out the attack and why it occurred.
He also called on members of the F-FDTL and young people to avoid using violence against each other.
