Minister of State and of the Presidency of the Council of Ministers and

Official Spokesperson for the Government of Timor-Leste

 Díli, February 27, 2015

Stacey Addison free to leave Timor-Leste

 

Today the Díli District Court formally accepted a document filed by the Public Prosecutor of Timor-Leste detailing his reasons for declining the prosecution of American National, Stacey Addison.

Ms. Addison is now free to leave Timor-Leste.

Ms. Addison was detained after entering Timor-Leste on September and was arrested in a vehicle where drugs were found.

Since 25 December 2014 Ms. Addison has been released from prison and free to move around Timor-Leste, without restrictions, as Timorese officials concluded the final part of their investigation. She has been staying at the home of former President of Timor-Leste, Dr. José Ramos-Horta.

Throughout her time in Timor-Leste officials of the Government and US officials have remained in close contact regarding her case.

Over the past two years Timor-Leste has been working together with its neighbors, raising its capacity to detect drugs and prevent cross border trafficking of narcotics.