Timor-Leste President Jose Ramos-Horta has denied violating the Catholic-majority nation's constitution and dismissed a ruling from a top court that accused him of interfering in judicial independence.

Horta returned from an official visit to Indonesia on Aug. 2, a couple of days after the Court of Appeal issued a ruling accusing him of violating the constitution and the rule of law with his recent appointment to a judicial body.

The court on July 31 ruled the appointment Afonso Carmona as the president of the Court of Appeal as unconstitutional, stating that the move disrupted the structure and credibility of the justice system and improperly expanded presidential powers over the judiciary.

The decision from the Court of Appeal does not have any impact. It does not question the constitutional legality of nominating the president for the Court of Appeal, Horta told reporters in the national capital Dili.

Carmona assumed office on April 29, a day after the national parliament passed an amendment to the Judicial Organization Law despite strong outcry from opposition parties, including FRETILIN and PLP (People's Liberation Party).

The amendment allows the president to appoint the president of the Court of Appeal from among ordinary judges, rather than strictly from among Supreme Court judges, as previously required

The opposers said the amendment violates the constitution and called for an abstract and successive review from the Court of Appeal.

Ombudsman Virgilio da Silva Guterres urged the public to respect the judiciary's authority following the court ruling on July 31.

The Court's decision is the highest decision in a democratic society and the public needs to respect that. The Court may have a decision not in favor or in favor of your interest, but the decision needs to be respected and followed, he said.

Sergio Quintas, a public defender, called for President Horta to reconsider his decision.

President Horta must alter his decision to nominate the now-president for the Court of Appeal. If the president is not respect the ruling of the court, it will impact judicial decisions, and the current president of the Court of Appeal may face criminal charges if his decision is not legally binding, he warned.

Horta, however, dismissed the Court of Appeal's ruling and its implications.

Political observers noted that the current dispute highlights growing tensions between branches of government in Timor-Leste and raises critical questions about the independence of the judiciary and the limits of the president's executive rights.

Timor-Leste declared independence following the end of about four centuries of Portuguese colonial rule in 1975. However, Indonesia invaded and annexed the country shortly.

Indonesian occupation led to extreme violation of human rights and oppression and triggered an armed struggle for independence, leaving thousands killed and displaced.

The conflict prompted the deployment of UN Peacekeeping forces. Timor-Leste became an independent country in 2002 thanks to an UN-sponsored act of self-determination.

About 97 percent of Timor-Leste's estimated 1.34 million people are Catholic.

Source: https://www.ucanews.com/news/timor-leste-president-denies-violating-constitution/10985