Convicted former Justice Minister continues criticism of justice system

Former Justice Minister Lobato. Image: GOET

ETLJB 16 May 2013 - The former Justice Minister in Xanana Gusmao's IV Constitutional Government who was convicted on charges relating to corruption in the administration of a prisons uniform contract tender while she was in office and sentenced to 5 years jail by the Dili District Court continues her criticisms of the justice process in East Timor. 

According to an English translation of a report by Televizaun Timor-Leste on 15 May 2013 published by the Timor Leste Media Development Centre, the former minister has said that the justice process in Timor-Leste has not functioned properly and her case has been filed in the Public Prosecution office.

The Public Prosecution filed Ms. Lobato’s case for further processing following allegations that there is new evidence proving that some judges engaged in manipulating the verdict in her corruption case.

“The Public Prosecution should listen to me as victim and it does not listen to the Court of Appeal President who knows well the case,” she said.

She is also reported to have alleged that the Public Prosecution was trying to save international judges who were suspected of being engaged in the manipulation of justice in the court.  Source: TVTL via TLMDC Edited by Warren L. Wright

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