Protesting dimissed soldiers gather at their camp at Taci Tolu the day before commencing their demonstration. The soldiers, most of whom are from the western regions of East Timor, demanded an investigation into their claims that they had been discriminated against by their commanders from the Eastern regions of East Timor.
Dili, Timor-Leste, 23 April 2006
Protesting soldiers gather in their camp at Taci Tolu the day before the demonstration. 591 dismissed soldiers from East Timor's western districts petitioned the government for action against their claims of discrimination within the military by eastern commanders. After being AWOL for three months, the soldiers staged a five day demonstration in the capital, Dili. Up to 2000 civilians joined the demonstration, which ended in a violent riot.
Dili, Timor-Leste, 22 April 2006