DILI, 2 April 2020 (TATOLI) – Dili Police have arrested a man they belive tried to ram a car carrying Prime Minister Taur Matan Ruak yesterday.
The man was driving a light truck in the Bairru Central neighbourhood yesterday afternoon when it narrowly missed the PM’s car, instead hitting the vehicle of his bodyguards (CSP – Corpo Siguraça Pesoal) instead.
Dili’s police commander, Supt. Euclides Belo, said transit officers arrested the man, identified as “MDC” shortly afterwards, seizing his vehicle.
“MDC is now in police custody for 72 hours of detention, [while] police conduct a criminal investigation,” Supt Belo told TATOLI by phone.
The commander said police are investigating whether the man was trying to hit the Prime Minister’s car before ploughing into the CSP vehicle. He also said police would also investigate whether the man was drunk at the time of the crash.
“The process is continuing and we will see the result tomorrow,” he added.
The CSP personnel have cooperated with police, helping to piece together a timeline of events. Their car sustained only minor damage.
Journalist: Eugénio Pereira
Editors: Robert Baird, Francisco Simões
Translation: Nelia Borge
