SA; Police identify Woomera refugee ringleaders

AAP General News (Australia)
08-29-2000
SA; Police identify Woomera refugee ringleaders

By Steve Larkin

WOOMERA, SA, Aug 29 AAP - Ten illegal immigrants from the Middle East have been identified
by police as ringleaders of yesterday's riot at the Woomera Detention Centre.

The core group is blamed for inciting the riot in which six buildings at the South
Australian centre were destroyed by fire and a number of security guards were injured.

The 10 are among about 50 illegal immigrants currently being questioned at Woomera
police station.

A police spokesman said 10 people from the Middle East had been identified as the ringleaders
of the riot which started at dawn yesterday and continued throughout the day, leaving
a damage bill expected to exceed $1 million.

The spokesman would not confirm how many suspects were being contained in holding cells
at the police station this morning after being transported by bus from the detention centre
on the outskirts of the town in South Australia's north.

But at least five mini-buses, each containing about 10 refugees, had arrived at the
police station this morning.

The police spokesman would not speculate on what, if any, charges could be laid against
the illegal immigrants.

If charged, they were expected to be taken to the Adelaide Remand Centre later today.

The spokesman said a cleanup operation would begin today at the centre, which he said
was littered with broken glass and the remains of the six buildings which were gutted
by fire.

AAP sl/gmw/bwl

KEYWORD: BOAT WOOMERA LEADERS

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