Timor Leste president rejects pardon proposal for former priest and convicted pedophile
The President of Timor Leste has not included American Richard Daschbach in his list of prisoner pardons, despite a government recommendation.
Mr Daschbach is a former Catholic priest who is serving a 12-year sentence for six counts of sexually abusing young Timor girls under his care at a remote orphanage.
Timor Leste President Jose Ramos Horta released his annual list of prisoner pardons overnight, Mr Dashbach was not among the six names on the list.
The 88-year-old is four years into his sentence and has been recommended for pardon by Timor's prime minister, but survivors of his crimes say they feel betrayed and unsafe at the prospect of the American's release.
The ABC understands 11 of the survivors met with President Horta to voice their concerns about a possible pardon.
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