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Last Update: Saturday, June 26, 2004. 7:00pm (AEST) East Timor threatens Australian man with deportation

An Australian man facing charges in East Timor has had more charges laid and is now threatened with deportation.

Activist and freelance journalist Julian King, 43, was originally charged with possessing ammunition and illegal documents but two of the charges were later dropped.

But police have now charged him with being in East Timor illegally, and immigration authorities in Dili are expected to begin extradition proceedings against him on Monday.

Mr King says he has tried to apply for the right visa, but police have ignored a court order to give him back his passport.

Mr King says he has been victimised because of his research against the Government, and he is determined to clear his name.

"I believe I have done nothing wrong here in the last four and a half years I've been coming and going," he said.

"I've been very supportive of the independence movement, very supportive of local NGO's, and I believe this is purely an attempt by certain people in the Government to stop me reporting, to stop me researching on the Timor Gap oil issue and to stop any criticism."

"We're planning to write to the President to inform him in case he isn't aware, we need to inform him that the police department are refusing to follow the rulings of both the Dili District Court and the High Court judges."

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