Dili: An East Timor court on Wednesday cleared an
Australian woman of the attempted assassination of the
president and prime minister in a 2008 attack, but jailed more
than 20 rebel gunmen.
"Today is the most important day of my life. I have
rightfully regained my freedom," Angelita Pires, 43, said
outside the court after judges dismissed the prosecutors`
argument that she was a key player in the plot.
"I`d like to say that I have learnt that liberty is one of
the most important things an individual can possess," added
Pires, who had faced up to 20 years in prison if convicted.
Pires, an East Timor-born Australian, had been tried for
seven months together with 27 rebels over the February 2008
gun assault on President Jose Ramos-Horta and Prime Minister
Xanana Gusmao.
She was charged on several counts including that she was
an "indirect author" of the plot to kill Ramos-Horta.
Prosecutors stated that she had persuaded her lover, rebel
leader Alfredo Reinado, to mount the attack.
Of the other defendants, 23 were sentenced to jail terms
ranging from nine to 16 years. The remaining four were
acquitted.
Gunmen had shot at Ramos-Horta outside his Dili home,
leaving him grievously wounded, and also fired on the car of
Gusmao, who escaped unhurt.
PTI
