23 May 2013

Suai District Court hands down suspended sentence in domestic violence case

ETLJB 23 May 2013 - On 17 May 2013, the Suai District Court judged a case of domestic violence committed by the defendant against his spouse. The case occurred in Sub-district Balibo, District of Bobonaro.

The Public Prosecutor submitted that on 4 July 2012, the defendant called his wife a ‘whore’ because she left and came back home at night. The defendant then brought a machete and threw it at the victim’s right leg, causing her to suffer injuries on her right leg.

The Public Prosecutor charged the defendant with article 145 of the Penal Code on simple offence against physical integrity with article 35 of the Law Against Domestic Violence. In final arguments, the Public Prosecutor asked the court to sentence the defendant to one year in prison, however suspending it for 2 years.

“The actions of the defendant in this case were serious because he used a weapon to injure the victim. JSMP questions whether article 145 on simple offence against physical integrity is the appropriate charge in this case,” said Luis de Oliveira Sampaio, Executive Director, JSMP.

The defendant confessed to the charge and promised to the court that he will not continue such behaviour against his spouse.

The court found that the defendant committed domestic violence against his spouse and sentenced him to 1 year in prison, however suspending the sentence for 2 years. The defendant must also pay a $30 judicial fine.

The case was registered in Suai District Court, Case Number: 83/2013/TDS. The hearing was presided by Dr. Constançio Basmery. Dr. Felismino Cardoso, International Prosecutor, represented the Public Prosecutor’s Office. The defendant was represented by Dr. João Henrique from the Public Defender’s Office. Source: Press release 5/23/2013 Edited by Warren L. Wright

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