Timor-Leste denies Arnie Teves’ appeal vs PH extradition request

MANILA, Philippines – Timor-Leste has denied the appeal of fugitive former lawmaker Arnolfo “Arnie” Teves Jr. against the Philippine government’s extradition request that would deport him back to the country.

Manila’s Department of Justice (DOJ), on Wednesday night, August 28, confirmed the Timor-Leste Court of Appeals’ decision denying Teves’ motion for reconsideration. The DOJ said it received the official update from the Timor-Leste’s prosecutor general.

“We recognize the importance of this decision and are committed to maintaining transparency throughout this process,” the DOJ said in a statement.

As of Wednesday evening, the DOJ has yet to provide more details as to what happens next after the appeal denial. But the decision on Teves’ appeal obviously clears the way for the Philippine government to deport him back to the Philippines and face his cases. In June, the Timor-Leste court granted the Philippine government’s request for extradition. As part of due process, Teves was afforded the chance to appeal the decision.

After being caught in Timor-Leste in March, Teves remained there and has refused to return. Under Timorese laws, fugitives like him may only be detained for a maximum of 90 days, which is why he was released from house arrest, but was still subjected to monitoring from Timorese security forces.

He faces arrest in the Philippines for being the alleged mastermind behind the assassination of Negros Oriental governor Roel Degamo last year.

While in Timor-Leste, Teves applied for political asylum but was denied. In March, he was arrested by the International Police (Interpol) National Central Bureau and the Timorese police. He was on the International Police’s red notice alert. In ensuring Teves’ return to the country to face his alleged crimes, the Philippine government banked on the extradition process.

Aside from the Degamo assassination, Teves also faces another murder charge over three separate killings that happened between March and June 2019 in Negros Oriental. With these alleged crimes, there are at least two standing warrants of arrest against the former lawmaker. – Rappler.com