Timorese Court of Appeal suspends decision to transfer judges

The Timorese Court of Appeal has suspended the decision of the Superior Council of the Judiciary regarding the transfer of four judges from Dili. The judges will remain in their current positions while the suspension is in effect. The Council had ordered their transfer to courts in Baucau, Suai, and Oecussi, which the judges contested, claiming legal procedures were not followed. They filed a complaint with the Council and a contentious appeal in the Court of Appeal. The judges argue that transfers require prior announcement and written consent, or exceptional public interest reasons. Additionally, they have lodged a complaint against Afonso Carmona, the Council's president, for allegedly coercing them to vacate their offices.