Dili, July 31, 2026 (Media Democracia) – Dili District Court of First Instance (TJPID), on Wednesday (29/07) conducted the first interrogation of 7 accused who brought in 2,583 cartons of illicit cigarettes in the Seical area, Baucau Municipality.
In the first interrogation process, TJPID decided to apply coercive measures of Periodic Presentation (AP), Prohibition of Absence (PA), and Identity and Residence Bond (TIR) to 6 foreign citizens, and 1 person received the TIR coercive measure because it was outside of flagrante delicto, for the suspected case of using illegal boats to transport 2,583 cartons of cigarettes in Baucau.
In this first interrogation, the Public Prosecutor’s Office, represented by Prosecutor Matias Soares, charged the 7 accused with 3 crimes: Fiscal Fraud as provided for in Article 314, Illegal Import and Export of Goods or Merchandise in Article 315, Smuggling in Article 316 of the Penal Code of Timor-Leste.
In this First Interrogation process, the Court carried out identification of the 7 accused. The Court then proceeded to the allegations of the Public Prosecutor’s Office and the Defense, because the accused chose to remain silent.
Thus, in the Public Prosecutor’s allegations, he asked the Court to apply the coercive measure of Preventive Detention (PP) for the 7 accused, because the accused are suspected of using illegal boats to carry out operations in Timor-Leste.
The private lawyer for the 7 accused, Napoleão de Oliveira Carvalho, asked the court to apply periodic presentation and prohibition of absence measures for 5 of the accused.
“For accused Cheng Chau Kung, I only ask for TIR because his detention was illegal as it was outside of flagrante delicto. Whether we like it or not, there must be a warrant to arrest. Without a warrant, it’s not allowed. That’s what I’m asking for today.” said private lawyer Napoleão to journalists after the hearing at the Dili District Court of First Instance on Wednesday (29/07).
He didn’t request bail because of the degree of culpability, but asked for prohibition of absence and periodic presentation measures.
“The court’s decision came down like this for the 6 accused, periodic presentation every Friday and prohibition of absence. For accused Cheng Chau Kung, only TIR was applied because his detention was outside of flagrante delicto without a detention warrant. In other words, because the detention was illegal, only TIR was applied to him.” he informed.
The private lawyer said the measure he requested was adequate because the court’s decision is not a tool of impunity. This is the decision.
Meanwhile, the items (evidence) in this process will continue and will be referred to the Baucau District Court because of jurisdictional area.
In this First Interrogation process, it was presided over by Duty Judge José Quintão. The Public Prosecutor’s Office was represented by Lead Prosecutor Matias Soares, and the accused received legal assistance from private lawyer Napoleão de Oliveira Carvalho.
Report By: Estefánia Cardoso
Photo: Estefánia Cardoso