Timor-Leste rejects Arnie Teves’ plea to stop extradition

Timor-Leste has denied the motion for reconsideration filed by the camp of former Negros Oriental Rep. Arnolfo Teves Jr. to reverse the granting of extradition of the embattled politician, the Department of Justice said on Wednesday.

“We wish to inform the public that this motion has been denied,” the DOJ said in a statement. 

Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla said the denial of Teves’ motion was “a significant step forward.” 

“This decision underscores that justice proceeds irrespective of an individual’s status,” he added. 

Teves’ legal counsel, Atty. Ferdinand Topacio, however said this was “fake news.”

“It was the stay order that was denied, not the appeal. Those are two different things,” he said in a message to reporters.

Timor-Leste’s Court of Appeals earlier granted the Philippines' request for the extradition of Teves last June.

The DOJ has yet to provide further information on the decision. 

Teves and several others are facing murder charges in connection with the killing in 2023 of then Negros Oriental Gov. Roel Degamo.

The expelled lawmaker has been under the custody of Timor Leste police since March following his arrest based on the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol) red notice issued against him in February.

A red notice is a request for law enforcement worldwide to locate and arrest a person pending his extradition, surrender, or similar legal action.

The notice stemmed from the multiple murder charges filed against Teves for the assassination of Degamo, which he has repeatedly denied.

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

He was expelled by the House of Representatives in August last year for disorderly conduct and continued absence despite an expired travel authority.—Vince Angelo Ferreras and Joahna Lei Casilao/RF/KBK, GMA Integrated News