The Timorese Minister for National Liberation Combatants Affairs, Gil da Costa Monteiro, said today that 11 fake veterans will have to return 301 thousand dollars (289 thousand euros) to the State, following a court decision.
"Of the 11 individuals indicted, the Oecussi District Court decided that all will return the money received to the State coffers. One of them will have to return 31 thousand dollars [around 29.7 thousand euros] and the remaining ten will each return 27 thousand dollars [around 25.9 thousand euros]", explained the minister during a press conference in Dili.
In January, the Oecussi District Court ruled to order 11 people to return around $301,000 to the state of Timor-Leste after they used falsified data to obtain veteran status in 2003.
Gil da Costa appealed to people not to invent or falsify documents, warning that any attempt at forgery will be judged according to the law.
"I also want to warn municipal managers that when they sign someone's documents for future recognition as a combatant, they should carry out rigorous verification. If they are not cautious, the consequences will also fall on those responsible who carry out the verification and sign the documents," warned the minister.
Gil da Costa also stated that the court's decision corrects cases of improper use of state money and asked people to comply with the law.
The Ministry of National Liberation Combatants Affairs released a list in January that updated the number of veterans to 92,591, up from 124,782 in 2009.
The list has received criticism from alleged veterans in several municipalities and from opposition deputies in the national parliament.
Following the criticism, Minister Gil da Costa Monteiro told Lusa that people dissatisfied with the new list should present their objection and complaint as provided for by law.
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