East Timor armed faction to surrender weapons

A self-proclaimed hit squad leader who says he was contracted to kill political opponents of East Timor’s ousted prime minister Mari Alkatiri today said he would surrender his weapons soon.

Vincente “Railos” da Concecao claims he was armed by former interior minister Rogerio Lobato, who was indicted last month by prosecutors on gunrunning charges.

“We agreed to hand our weapons to the government,” de Concecao said.

They will turn in 14 automatic weapons at their mountain camp near the town of Liquisa, just west of the capital, Dili, he said.