Timor-Leste parliament questions president over proposed resort’s links to ‘scam’ empire

Parliament in Timor-Leste questioned the president over a proposed resort’s alleged ties to a ‘scam’ empire, scrutinizing key appointments and decisions. The opposition sought explanations for the granting of diplomatic credentials and a special adviser role to a Chinese tech entrepreneur involved in the project.

### Claim 1: Chinese tech entrepreneur Lin Xiaofan was appointed as special adviser to Timor-Leste’s president on economic and commercial affairs in July of the previous year.

Evidence: Timor-Leste opposition figure Florentino Ximenes da Costa urged President Ramos-Horta in parliament to explain why he granted diplomatic credentials to Chinese tech entrepreneur Lin Xiaofan. Lin, who presented himself as the face of the resort project, received an appointment as special adviser to the president on economic and commercial affairs last July. This appointment places him in a direct advisory role.

Verdict: True.

Analysis: Parliamentary statements directly confirm Lin Xiaofan's appointment as special adviser. The opposition's public questioning of the president regarding these credentials corroborates the established timeline and the nature of the advisory position.

### Claim 2: A Timorese source told The Guardian that the issuance of a diplomatic passport to Lin Xiaofan was highly unusual.

Evidence: The issuance of a diplomatic passport to Lin Xiaofan was described as "highly unusual" by a Timorese source to The Guardian. Such a passport grants holders certain customs and visa privileges, facilitating international travel and interactions. President Ramos-Horta, in turn, defended the decision, stating he hoped the businessman could attract investment into the developing nation.

Verdict: True.

Analysis: A direct quote from a Timorese source confirms the non-standard nature of the diplomatic passport issuance. The president's subsequent defense of this specific decision further implies it was a notable rather than routine procedure.

### Claim 3: Shareholders of the AB Digital Technology Resort stated that they had no involvement with organized crime and that any alleged Prince Group associates were dismissed immediately after US sanctions were announced in October.

Evidence: Current shareholders in the resort project publicly denied any involvement with organized crime or other wrongdoing. They further stated that individuals alleged to have ties to the Prince Group were immediately dismissed from the resort after US sanctions were announced in October. The Prince Group is a conglomerate accused by US authorities of running "industrial-scale" scams.

Verdict: True.

Analysis: The resort's current shareholders directly communicated their non-involvement with organized crime. Their prompt dismissal of individuals allegedly linked to the Prince Group, following the imposition of US sanctions, provides a clear statement on their operational stance.

Future developments regarding the resort project, ongoing parliamentary inquiries, and potential investigations into land acquisition practices remain a focal point.