The Deputy Minister of Justice (MJ), Ivo Valente, said everyone needs to contribute towards combating money laundering and corruption in the country.
He said, the Constitution of the Republic Democratic of Timor-Leste constitution (RDTL), Article 6, clearly states it is the responsibility of the State to defend and guarantee the sovereignty of Timor-Leste.
Deputy Minister Valente said to implement the law on money laundering Timor-Leste will need to collaborate internationally.
“Whilst we have a law about money laundering, we still need to make greater efforts to implement the law,” said Deputy Valente.
The Deputy MJ said it is important for Timor-Leste to have bilateral and multilateral cooperation and assistance in order to establish good judiciary process.
“These crimes can have a strong impact internationally as they can happen across borders between the countries,” he said.
He said also money laundering is a crime that leads to other crimes.
Meanwhile the Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions and Justice (PDHJ), Zelia Trindade, said the crime of money laundering crime is quite complex because it also refers to particular criminal practices.
Deputy of PDHJ Trindade said the crime has connections to human trafficking, drug smuggling, child pornography and prostitution.
“Investigating this crime is extremely complex,” said the Deputy PDHJ.
She urged authorities and the judiciary staff to develop a good understanding of its nature.
“We must learn to identify the indicators of this crime. For example if we notice people becoming suddenly rich on a small salary we must ask where is the source of all that money,” she added.
The Deputy PDHJ said also Article 6 of the Penal Code has been amended so that foreigners coming into Timor-Leste who commit the crime can be tried in-country.
“I believe this law also establishes the Financial Investigation Unit.”
She urged FOTI Timor-Leste, an anti-corruption NGO, to keep building the capacity of the judiciary authority.
Meanwhile FOTI Timor-Leste Director, Pedro Gomes Pereira, said a Financial Information Unit (UIF) needs to be established in the country.
He said the government already drafted a Decree Law that is pending approval by the Central Bank of Timor-Leste.
“The establishment of UIF will assist investigators and prosecutors track down financial influx in connection to a serious crime, organized crime and financial crime,” said the Director.
He added the UIF will allow investigators and prosecutors in Timor-Leste to improve their capacity to detect and identify crimes of this nature.
