Nephew of Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao Suspected of Involved in Disturbance‏

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TEMPO SEMANAL - Translated from original Tetum text at link:Deskonfia PM Xanana Gusmao nia Subrinho Involve Disturbiu 

A witness who is the owner of a hotel and restaurant near Metiaut in Dili has made complained about a violent criminal incident that resulted in damage to his restaurant and hotel and caused him to lose earnings. 

According to Ana the owner of another restaurant in Metiaut that was also attack during a night last week and damaged by a group led by the nephew of the prime minister, "maybe it's because his uncle is an important person that the police said today that he would merely be coming to pay for our things, when in fact this is a crime, because he assaulted our restaurant. This person is the male son of one of Xanana Gusmao's younger brothers." 

She added however that she has already made a formal complaint to the Timor-Leste National Police, due to the damage to property at her restaurant and because the safety and security of persons at the restaurant were also at risk, with she herself received serious injuries to her head as a result of the night assault. 

According to some veteran they have been forced to speak out because they are unhappy with Prime Minister XG's family members who have recent been involved in controversial incidents. 

"The Prime Minister's family themselves have damaged the Prime Minister's reputation because they have not learnt from the failures faced by former Prime Minister Mari's experience," said this veteran who previously was very close to Prime Minister Xanana when he was the commander-in-chief of the Falintil. 

Although Gusmao is as a charismatic leader in both Timor-Leste and in the international arena, his credibility has been damaged by corruption, collusion and nepotism committed by members of his government as well as the behaviour of some members of his family during his government and prime ministership since 2007. 

"Friend, I am speaking out like this not because I am envious of the Prime Minister's family or members of his government, but because I am concerned with Prime Minister Xanana's good name and the affection we have shown for him during our lives has not been because of material things or because of family relationship," said this veteran forcefully. 

Some of the victims who had their property damaged during the assault from that night have said that if the national police do not take serious action against the attackers that night, then they will gather up their damaged property and present it at the office of the Minister for Defence and Security, who happens also to be the Prime Minister. 

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