A United States citizen who had been detained in Timor-Leste for nearly two months was freed Thursday by a district court in the Southeast Asian country, the State Department said.
Stacey Addison, a 41-year-old veterinarian from Portland, Ore., was backpacking alone when she was arrested when trying to renew her Indonesian visitor visa, according to media reports. Police scooper her up because a package in the taxi she was taking with other passengers had methamphetamine inside.
The State Department said it “welcomed” the decision to release Addison, though spokeswoman Jen Psaki said concerns remain because Addison allegedly has not received her passport to leave Timor-Leste.
“We have seen the reports that Dr. Addison’s passport was retained by the Government of Timor-Leste, and she remains in Timor-Leste,” Psaki said. “The Department of State takes its assistance to U.S. citizens abroad very seriously. Embassy officials continue to provide all possible consular assistance.”
