DILI, 15 april 2024 (TATOLI) – Last Thursday, the Court of Appeal acquitted the former Minister of Trade, Industry and the Environment, António da Conceição, of the crime of economic participation in business.
António da Conceição praised the work of his lawyer and said he was “very happy” with the Court of Appeal’s decision.
“Now I can move around freely, because my dignity has been restored,” said Conceição.
At the beginning of january, the Dili Court of First Instance sentenced António da Conceição to five years in prison for the crime of economic participation in a business.
According to the sentence, António da Conceição, in his capacity as Deputy Minister of Trade, Industry, and Environment, awarded the construction project for a salt pan to Hugo Amor Unipessoal, Lda. in 2015, damaging the state by US$350,000.
In february 2024, António da Conceição “Kalohan”, the current Secretary General of the Democratic Party, was dismissed as Timor-Leste’s Ambassador to Indonesia.
Regarding his resignation as ambassador, Kalohan explained that he presented it to the Head of State, following the decision of the Dili Court which sentenced him to five years in prison for the financial crime.
Journalist: Camilio de Sousa
Editor: Filomeno Martins
