A rebel military leader, Major Alfredo Reinado, was one of nearly 60 East Timorese inmates who escaped from prison in the East Timorese capital yesterday, Australian police said.
"We believe about 56 already escaped from the prison, including Reinado," said Tim Dodd, an Australian police spokesman.
The inmates escaped through the front gate of the prison, said the spokesman, declining to give any further details.
Reinado led a group of 600 deserting troops, and was accused of sparking civil unrest in May. The urest triggered clashes among rival security forces and gang wars on the streets that killed 21 people, and prompted the deployment of an Australian-led international peacekeeping force.
Reinado was arrested last month on charges of weapons possession.
A prison warden blamed the breakout on a shortage of guards, saying many never returned to their posts after the violence in the capital three months ago.
"We don't have enough staff," Carlos Sarmento said.
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