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Timor-Leste consular official Igino Ferreira bashed after Bombing of Darwin event

The Australian Federal Police and Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade are working with NT Police after a visiting consular staff member was assaulted in the CBD.

Igino Ferreira sports an injured arm after the attack.
Igino Ferreira sports an injured arm after the attack.

The Australian Federal Police and Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade are working with NT Police after a visiting consular staff member was assaulted in the CBD.

Darwin-based Timor-Leste consulate employee Igino Ferreira caught an Uber to Royal Darwin Hospital after being assaulted in Mitchell St last week.

Mr Ferreira was walking along Mitchell St early on February 20 towards his home when he was punched by a man he didn’t know.

Mr Ferreira made his way to Hotel Darwin after the assault.
Mr Ferreira made his way to Hotel Darwin after the assault.

Mr Ferreira said the man accused him of looking at his wife, before felling him with a single punch to the left shoulder.

Mr Ferreira said the man appeared to be alone and there was no sign of a woman in the vicinity.

The incident happened just after midnight on Thursday as Mr Ferreira was making his way home from official duties representing his country at Bombing of Darwin Commemoration events.

As he lay in pain on the ground, Mr Ferreira pulled his mobile phone from his pocket and told his assailant he would call the police, and the man fled.

Timor-Leste Consul to Darwin Igino Ferreira is responsible for labour.
Timor-Leste Consul to Darwin Igino Ferreira is responsible for labour.

He pulled himself off the ground and walked into the Hotel Darwin.

He later caught an Uber to Royal Darwin Hospital where he was diagnosed with a dislocated shoulder, and his left arm was placed in a supportive sling.

It remained in a sling on Sunday afternoon and his shoulder remains strapped days after the assault.

He is expecting to see a clinician this week for further assessment and treatment.

NT Police at the weekend confirmed an incident took place, and it was being investigated.

“The Northern Territory Police Force are investigating an assault on a foreign national that occurred in the Darwin CBD on Thursday morning,” a spokesman said.

“In the early hours of Thursday morning, police received reports of an alleged assault on a 50-year-old male on Smith St. The victim attended a nearby licensed premises seeking assistance and later presented to Royal Darwin Hospital, where he was treated for his injuries.

The Serious Crime Unit are continuing with investigations.”

Mr Ferreira said he had been in Darwin since November 2023 working as a labour liaison attache with the consul.

There are at present 276 Timorese employed in the Northern Territory primarily in horticulture and agriculture.

The incident has sparked a diplomatic incident of sorts, with Timorese authorities understood to be taking a keen interest in the investigation as well as the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and the Federal Police.

Mr Ferreira said he made a formal statement to police about the incident on Saturday, and he expects to have further contact with officers this week.

Original URL: https://www.ntnews.com.au/business/nt-business/timorleste-consular-official-igino-ferreira-bashed-after-bombing-of-darwin-event/news-story/7a83b673c3f7d69c309325a641f06bb7