Teves'

Teves’ legal counsel, Ferdinand Topacio, confirmed that his client was apprehended by Timor-Leste immigration police.

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“At around 8 p.m. yesterday (Dili time), our client, Rep. Arnolfo Teves Jr., was taken from his residence in Dili together with his Timor Leste counsel, Dr. Joao Serra, by immigration police,” Topacio said.

Teves and Serra are now detained inside the compound of the Ministry of the Interior, accompanied by another legal counsel.

“No warrant or any written authority was shown to Mr. Teves and Dr. Serra as to the cause of detention,” Topacio added.

The DOJ reaffirmed its readiness to facilitate Teves’ return to the country, stating “We are ready to arrange the transfer of custody by the most expeditious means once we are clarified on this issue,” the DOJ said in a statement.

“While we welcome the recent pronouncements from Timor-Leste indicating a renewed position that Mr. Teves should not remain in their territory, we await their action -- whether he would simply be deported for being an undocumented foreigner or extradited forthwith pursuant to our pending application,” it said.