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DILI - A stern message from a Dili court for former interior minister and strongman Rogerio Lobato has relieved political tension in the East Timor capital.
Lobato was sentenced to 7-1/2 years in jail for arming civilians during last year's violence, which has left East Timor chronically unstable and divided.
The court's front seats were lined with leaders of Lobato's governing Fretilin party, including ex-prime minister Mari Alkatiri and his former Finance Minister Madalena Boavida.
With presidential party elections only a month away, Lobato's standing as deputy leader of the party was of keen interest. It is fielding parliamentary speaker Francisco Guterres as its candidate.
Judge Ivo Rosa took almost two hours to deliver the verdict in Portuguese today. One of Lobato's three co-defendants dozed off during its reading.
He was convicted of misappropriating firearms for unlawful use and four counts of manslaughter resulting from his arming of civilians to kill government opponents. He was sacked as minister in May 2006.
The verdict was reached by a panel of three international jurists led by Judge Rosa after a three month trial.
They said Lobato was responsible for much of last year's violence.
"The accused seriously disturbed public order," Judge Rosa read.
"He knew the guns and bullets he distributed could kill people. He had the objective of killing those of different political opinions'.
He said the ex-minister -- whose brother Nicolau was a hero of Timor's long resistance war against Indonesia -- had a special responsibility, "as a member of government, and of a democratic society".
Political analyst Aderito Soares of Fretilin's dissident 'Mudansa' faction said the trial evidence showed that government members had inside knowledge of the gun dealings.
"The verdict will have some importance for these elections because Rogerio is vice-president of the party," he said.
The conviction was a relief for UN peacekeepers in Dili in their struggle to control warring political factions. Supporters of rebel leader Alfredo Reinado, who is on the run from Australian troops, had threatened violence in the capital if Lobato was acquitted.
There was no backlash registered from Fretilin supporters.
Lawyer Paul Remedios told reporters after the verdict that his client would appeal.
"I'm confident of success," he said.
Two of the co-defendants were given suspended sentences of four months, while the third was acquitted.
- AAP
