Public Prosecution: Samson uses false document

Christopher Henry Samson, found guilty of falsifying citizenship

East Timor Legal News20/09/2011 Source: Suara Timor Lorosae September 15, 2011 language source: Tetun - Dili District Court has tried Christopher Henry Samson, director of the civil society corruption watchdog organisation, LABEH, who was accused of falsifying documents to become a citizen of Timor-Leste.

The case was tried by a panel of judges composed of Rosa Brandao, International judges Antonio Fonseca and Jose Goncalves, Public Defender Pedro Apolinario and Sergio Hornai, Public Prosecutors, Remiza de Fatima and Felismino Cardoso.

The Immigration Police's investigation findings show that Samson came from Angola to Timor-Leste with a false document.

"The Public Prosecution has data that proves that he is not Timorese but a foreigner, therefore the Public Prosecution asked the Immigration Police and Ministry of Justice to investigate this case. It is found that he [Samson] is not a Timorese and his bought false documents to be here, STL said.

Public Defender, Apolinario and Hornai,  has called on the court to call Lino dos Santos to give his testimony in the court about the case because he is not a public prosecutor or Customs department official but he publicised  Samson's documents.

Christopher Henry Samson said that some accusations against him were true and some are wrong because if the Justice Ministry found that he used false documents then why they do not take the necessary action by deporting him to his country.

"I am calling on the court to see the facts and it should not politicise the facts in order to defeat another person," Samson said.