East Timor: Ousted PM ignores summons

East Timor’s ousted prime minister today failed to appear for questioning in relation to gunrunning charges that contributed to his downfall, saying he was immune from prosecution.

Former leader Mari Alkatiri instead chose to address about 1,000 cheering supporters who camped out in the grounds of Dili’s university after rallying through the city amid a massive security clampdown by international peacekeepers.

“We are all brothers,” he said, urging the crowd not to take part in violence.

He also said there was no need to dissolve parliament and hold early elections, something the country’s President Xanana Gusmao said was essential to free the tiny country from two months of political deadlock and unrest.

Alkatiri stepped down on Monday amid allegations he knew that weapons were being distributed to civilian militias tasked with hunting down his political opponents and after failing to prevent months of political violence.

The charges gained credibility last week when former interior minister Rogerio Lobato, deputy leader in Alkatiri’s ruling Fretilin party and a key political ally, was indicted in the case.