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'She made a mistake': Dad defends daughter over 'border lie'

The father of Haja Timbo, one of the three Brisbane women accused of deliberately misleading authorities to avoid quarantine after returning from Melbourne via Sydney has spoken out after she was released from her mandatory 14 day quarantine.

Haja Timbo, 21, who did not test positive for COVID-19, together with Diana Lasu, 21 and Olivia Muranga, 19, returned from Melbourne on July 21 and attended restaurants, medical centres, shopping malls and a school where it’s estimated they came into close contact with at least 2000 people.

Ms Lasu and Ms Muranga both tested positive for COVID-19.

Haja Timbo, 21
Haja Timbo did not test positive for coronavirus but was forced to stay in mandatory quarantine for 14 days. Source: News.com

Although Ms Timbo returned negative results she was forced to quarantine for 14 days at the Rydges Hotel at Brisbane’s South Bank, where she was released today.

Ms Timbo refused to speak to the media but her father briefly spoke, admitting his daughter “made a mistake”.

“She’s in a frustrated mood, you can see that,” Mr Timbo told 7 News.

Ms Timbo’s father accused the media of “intimidating” his daughter and asked reporters to respect her.

“Let’s say she made a mistake ... Is that why the media, and everybody, is intimidating her?

“You are intimidating her ... You are intimidating us. I won’t take it.

“I’ve told you, she’s not in the mood. You have to respect her.”

Diana Lasu (Left), Olivia Muranga (Middle), and Haja Timbo (Right). Source: 7News
Diana Lasu (Left), Olivia Muranga (Middle), and Haja Timbo (Right). Source: 7News

In July, Ms Lasu claimed she had been subjected to explicit messages and racial and abusive remarks.

All three women are due to face Brisbane Magistrates Court in September after being charged with fraud and providing false or misleading documents in breach of public health directions.

They’ve all also been hit with $4000 fines after their trip from Melbourne.

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