The opposition party said it found errors in the way Francisco Kalbaudy Lay was issued a notification of arrest without it first being submitted to National Parliament for revocation of legal immunity.

During a debate in parliament about the proceedings, Fretilin member Aniceto Gutteres, said Lay as a citizen of Timor-Leste must cooperate with the law, but also urged the court to follow correct procedure.

Duarte Nunes, the Chairman of CNRT, said Lay could not attend the hearing as he was receiving medical treatment in Singapore.

Nunes said Lay would return to Timor-Leste in the coming weeks.

Lay has been previously caught up in a football corruption scandal, and had Timor-Leste banned for two years by FIFA.