Timor-Leste appeals court rejects Teves extradition

The Court of Appeals (CA) of Timor-Leste has rejected the Philippine government’s request to extradite expelled lawmaker Arnolfo Teves Jr., after previously deciding in its favor twice.

- DAPHNE GALVEZ

In a translated copy of the supposed decision shared by lawyer Ferdinand Topacio, the counsel of Teves, the Timor-Leste court cited the recantations of several witnesses, who claimed they forced to sign affidavits “pre-prepared by police and military personnel” meant to implicate Teves in the murders with which he was being charged.

The court also noted the testimony of Teves’ secretary, who claimed she was detained without a valid arrest warrant and interrogated under physical and psychological threats, including a gun pointed in her face.

The court said it was a “situation that was brought to an end by the intervention of the Commission of Human Rights of the Philippines.”

“For the foregoing reasons, the Plenary of Judges of the Court of Appeal unanimously decides to grant the appeal and, consequently, on the basis of Article 5(3) of the Constitution of the Democratic Republic of East Timor, to refuse the request for the extradition of Arnolfo Alipit Teves Junior, revoking the contested decision,” the ruling read.

The Philippine government sought the extradition of Teves for him to face multiple murder, frustrated murder and attempted murder charges in Manila for the March 4, 2023 assassination of then Negros Oriental governor Roel Degamo, along with several others.

Aside from Degamo’s murder, Teves and others have also been charged with the deaths of three individuals in Negros Oriental in 2019.