19 July 2026interpol
The individual had been sought since Thursday by PCIC teams, who monitored his movements in national territory until they confirmed their intention to embark abroad today.
The arrest was made just as the suspect was preparing to leave the country.
According to the Interpol notification, the Chinese citizen, a native of the Nanbu region, Sichuan province, is wanted by the Chinese authorities on suspicion of the crime of prostitution organization, provided for in article 358 of the Chinese penal code, with a maximum sentence of life imprisonment.
According to the investigation conducted by the Chongqing Public Security Police, the suspect was allegedly part of a criminal group responsible for operating a prostitution establishment in Bangkok, Thailand, between October 2023 and May 2024, with illicit profits of more than US$150,000.
The arrest warrant against the target was issued in December 2024, after he left China clandestinely in April of that year.
After the arrest today, the suspect was transferred to the PCIC cells.
The PCIC will follow up on the judicial process, in conjunction with the competent authorities, with a view to the applicable legal procedures, namely with regard to a possible extradition request by the Chinese authorities.
The PCIC reaffirms its commitment to cooperation with Interpol and other international police forces, in the fight against transnational crime, and will continue to act in accordance with the mechanisms of international legal and police cooperation of which Timor-Leste is a party.