Lay faces a number of economic fraud charges dating back to his time in government.

The court has called for a ban on Lay’s movement after the CNRT leader moved to Australia for medical treatment in March 2021 and missed trial. Lay returned to Timor-Leste earlier this month and received the court summon on Friday 25 February, his lawyer Kalbuai Fernando Carvalho told the Independente.

Jose Luis Oliveira, the Executive Director of Timor-Leste Asia Justice and Rights group told the Independentehe had confirmation that Lay would comply with the court summons.