On 15 July, Fundasaun Mahein released a statement calling for the “underlying causes” of recent up-surge in violent gang-related conflict to be addressed, suggesting amongst its recommendations that criminalisation was forcing gangs underground, “leading to a more dangerous and unregulated conflict between the groups.” 

Under Timor-Leste law there is a zero-tolerance for people found practicing martial arts after the Timor-Leste government banned all clubs in 2013 following gang violence.

Paixao said decriminalisation of martial arts gangs would bring more violence, stressing that members were “anarchists” and had displayed no respect for society or the law.

"They kill each other, therefore, to reopen their activities there is no way,” Paixao said outside the Government Palace on Wednesday.

He said it had been five years since the government imposed a zero-tolerance ban on martial arts activities in the hope gang members would improve their behaviour but they “did not want to.”

Paixao said the government had “the right” to decriminalise martial arts activities but warned resistance from the national police and defence force.

Paixao also criticised the justice sector for repeatedly releasing martial arts leaders arrested by police.

"It is necessary to work in an integrated manner,” he said.