Dili, August 6, 2025 (Média Democracia) – In response to information circulated about a prosecutor allegedly committing sexual harassment against a young woman, the lawyer representing the prosecutor’s family expressed regret over the news released by the opposing party, considering it harmful to the family’s reputation. The press conference was held in Farol, Dili, on Monday.
The family’s legal representative, Pedro Camoes, stated that he wanted to speak on behalf of the family, who are distressed by the recent publication of the incident that occurred last week. He emphasized the importance of protecting the good name of all parties involved.
“The statements issued by the opposing party’s lawyers were released outside the boundaries of legal procedure. Our legal system gives us the right to maintain confidentiality. If this information was meant to be brought before judicial authorities, it should not have been made public. Their actions have breached legal secrecy, and such behavior goes against the legal procedures in place,” said Pedro Camoes.
He added that there are legal restrictions for all parties involved like prosecutors, lawyers, and police who must maintain confidentiality, especially concerning unverified evidence. According to Camoes, the opposing lawyers have prematurely released this information, damaging the family’s reputation and compromising judicial secrecy.
“These premature publications may influence evidence and compromise the originality of that evidence, because statements made for or against may later be used in court. However, these statements could distort the original facts, which will be assessed by the court later, in accordance with legal procedures,” said the family’s lawyer.
Camoes stated that the family feels deeply saddened by the widespread discussion and the release of footage that may not be appropriate, which could negatively affect the family and their children. Therefore, they call for calm and for any evidence to be presented properly in court, which will then determine whether the allegations are substantiated.
“Some lawyers and offices are seeking quick public attention and popularity, but this does not benefit those they represent. On the contrary, it harms their clients’ names in the community. The goal should be protection, not popularity,” affirmed Pedro Camoes.
He mentioned that those involved in the legal proceedings are under pressure and urged against hastiness or the contamination of evidence. All actions must follow legal procedures and timing, allowing investigators to do their job. The most important statements are those documented with official records or forensic analysis, which could later be used as legal evidence.
“I urge everyone to remain calm and allow the authorities to do their work. The family is trying to remain composed. Lawyers should not influence public opinion through the media, as this could interfere with the investigation. Eventually, the evidence will be assessed by authorities to determine its validity, and we want to avoid rushing this process,” said Camoes.
He emphasized that when an accusation reaches the court, everyone will have access to the facts. Until then, patience and respect for the legal process are essential. He criticized the opposing party for sharing information that is not only inaccurate but also potentially damaging. He insisted that the ongoing investigation should be allowed to proceed without external interference, so that any resulting evidence can serve its rightful purpose.
Camoes clarified that once the case is registered in court, only then can it be evaluated based on evidence and testimony. If some evidence is not collected due to certain reasons, the affected parties still have their legal rights to act when the case is underway. Until then, the family maintains a passive position and denies the damaging narrative shared by the opposing party.
“We heard the opposing side presented some accusations, but we prefer not to respond hastily. Let the investigation take its course, and if they present anything in the future, it should be clear whether they do so on behalf of the family or personally,” said Pedro Camoes.
He further affirmed that the law firms working on this case must be aware of their limits and ethical obligations. If they speak out excessively, they may be violating legal ethics, which applies to both private lawyers and public defenders.
Meanwhile, Humberto Alves stated that the information released on social media does reflect certain facts.
“What was presented may be factual, but people need to understand the rules. Releasing such information prematurely accuses others and violates their rights. That’s why it is considered inappropriate,” said Humberto Alves.
He added that the family is not pleased with the way information has been disclosed. He emphasized the importance of letting the judicial process unfold in court to determine who is right and who is wrong. Previously, JU’S lawyer Adelina and her team held a separate press conference, presenting the chronology of events and confirming that they had submitted a complaint to the Superior Council of the Public Prosecution regarding the alleged incident.
They urged members of the Superior Council of the Judiciary, the Public Prosecution, the Superior Council of Public Defense, the Ministry of Justice, and the Judicial Reform Coordinator to take the issue of sexual harassment seriously, especially when committed by judicial authorities. They also called for the establishment of an internal mechanism to receive confidential complaints from the public and for disciplinary measures based on the severity of such acts.
Reporting: Nelfiano
Photo: Nelfiano