Timor-Leste Parliament Grills President Over Resort's Alleged Crime Links
President José Ramos-Horta has acknowledged that Timor-Leste remains vulnerable to transnational crime but stated he has seen no proof of such groups infiltrating the country. This comes amid intense parliamentary questioning over a proposed cryptocurrency resort's connections to an alleged "scam" empire.
Opposition Demands Answers on Diplomatic Passport and Land Deal
In a heated session in Dili, opposition MP Florentino Ximenes da Costa of the Fretilin party raised serious concerns about the AB Digital Technology Resort. The project has been under investigation by the Guardian and the Organised Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP), which uncovered alleged ties to the Prince Group, a Cambodian conglomerate accused by US authorities of running "industrial-scale" scams.
Ximenes da Costa urged President Ramos-Horta to explain why he granted a diplomatic passport to Chinese businessman Lin Xiaofan, who represents the resort project and serves as a special adviser on economic affairs. The opposition also questioned how foreign investors secured prime beachfront land near the capital's airport, suggesting involvement from local VIPs.
Background on the Prince Group Allegations
Prince Holding Group, based in Cambodia, faces US indictments for wire fraud and money laundering, with authorities describing it as a major transnational criminal organization. Founder Chen Zhi was arrested and extradited to China, with assets worth billions frozen globally. The group has denied all allegations, calling them baseless.
Shareholders in the Timor-Leste resort project have denied any wrongdoing, stating that individuals linked to Prince Group were dismissed after US sanctions were announced. Lin Xiaofan has also denied involvement with organized crime, and he is not under sanction or accused of criminality.
President's Defense and National Security Concerns
In interviews, Ramos-Horta defended issuing the diplomatic passport, hoping it would attract investment to the impoverished nation. He emphasized vigilance against organized crime but rejected claims based solely on media reports, warning against attempts to tarnish Timor-Leste's reputation.
Ximenes da Costa called for a thorough investigation to ensure the country remains free from corrupt influences and transnational criminal operations, protecting its economy and international image.
