East Timor students released following protest

10/07/2008 22:11:51

Twenty-one East Timorese students, detained following protests over a government decision to purchase cars for 65 members of parliament, have been release from police detention.

A total of 53 have been arrested since demonstrations began on Monday.

Stephanie March reports from Dili groups of UN and local police waited outside Dili's national university, but the students gathered at the school failed to go ahead with planned protests.

The 21 students arrested Monday appeared in court this morning before being released without charge, however, police say the incident is still being investigated.

They've been told they must inform police of any plans to leave the capital.

Amnesty International and the Fretilin Opposition party had previously called for the students to either be charged immediately, or released from police detention.

UN police told the ABC despite no demonstrations at the University today they are prepared for the possibility of more on Friday.

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