DILI, 30 june 2022 (TATOLI) – The Dili District Court (TDD) has ordered two foreign nationals (Indonesian and Sudanese) under house arrest, suspected of involving in human trafficking.
According to Pedro Aparicio, the lawyer for the two defendants said that: “The Court ordered my clients under house arrest, although there were no strong indications of a crime.”
The lawyer also noted that the Court’s decision does not prevent the defendants from leaving the country, saying the defendants will have to report to the court 15 days in advance if they change their residences and cell phone cards or go abroad.”
The house arrest was ordered by the trial judge Álvaro Maria Freitas, in the presence of Prosecutor Domingos Gouveia, and the defendant’s lawyer, Pedro Aparício.
The Public Prosecutor accused and charged the two defendants with human trafficking and criminal association, under articles 163 and 188 of the Timor-Leste Penal Code.
These two foreign nationals are currently under house arrest following their first appearance in the court and have been ordered not to leave Timor-Leste.
TDD also applied the same measure to three Timorese citizens, suspected of committing human traffic activities by sending seven Timorese workers to Dubai.
Seven Timorese women, who chose not to identify themselves, claimed to be exploited and living illegally in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. According to them, the employer has confiscated their passports. They have been forced to work without a labor contract and live in inhumane conditions.
Related News:http://www.tatoli.tl/en/2022/06/27/__trashed-21/
Jornalist: Domingos Piedade Freitas
Editor: Maria Auxiliadora/ Nelia Borges
Translation: Filomeno Martins
