DILI, 26 March 2025 (TATOLI) – The President of the Republic, José Ramos Horta, said that the decision of Timor-Leste’s court through the Supreme Court to Arnolf Teves Jr. does not affect the accession of Timor-Leste to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
“The decision of the Court of Timor-Leste not to extradite the fugitive Arnolf Teves Jr. does not affect Timor-Leste’s accession to ASEAN; this decision is a proper decision. I have no comment; I respect the decision of the court. I have met with the prime minister to discuss this issue, so the opinion of the court is correct”, President Horta told reporters at the Presidential Palace Bairru-Pité, Dili.
Horta added the court’s decision only talked about extradition but did not state that Teves should remain in Timor-Leste.
“The court just decided that fugitive Teves is not extradited to his country of origin but did not decide to continue living in Timor-Leste, and this is a political decision of Timor-Leste,” he explained.
Previously, on 20 March 2025, the Court of Timor-Leste, through the Supreme Court, decided not to extradite Arnolfo Teves Jr. to his home country, the Philippines. The Supreme Court’s decision was based on Article 35 of the Republic Democratic of Timor–Leste’s Constitution on extradition and expulsion.
Arnolfo Teves Jr. was arrested on March 21 in Timor-Leste by the Timor-Leste police pursuant to a “red notice” issued by the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol).
A red notice is a request to law enforcement authorities worldwide to locate and provisionally arrest a person pending his or her extradition, surrender, or similar legal action.
The Department of Justice (DOJ) sought Interpol’s assistance after multiple charges for murder, frustrated murder, and attempted murder of then Negros Oriental Gov. Roel Degamo and nine other persons on March 4, 2023, had been filed against him.
Teves was also accused of complicity in the killing of three people in 2019 and for violation of gun-control laws in connection with the high-powered weapons and rounds of ammunition found in his family’s premises.
Journalist: Camilo de Sousa
Editor: Rafael Ximenes de A. Belo
