East Timor jails 23 rebels for shooting president

A court in East Timor has convicted 23 rebels over the attempted assassination of the president and prime minister in 2008.

The defendants - most of them former soldiers and police officers - were jailed for up to 16 years.

President Jose Ramos-Horta was shot and seriously wounded in the attack outside his home in the capital Dili.

The Prime Minister, Xanana Gusmao, escaped injury when his motorcade was ambushed on the same day.

A further five defendants were acquitted, including an Australian woman, Angelita Pires, who was the girlfriend of the rebel leader killed in the assassination attempt.

"Today is the most important day of my life. I have rightfully regained my freedom," Ms Pires said outside the court after judges dismissed the prosecutors' argument that she was a key player in the plot.

Coup attempt

Most of the accused were army and police deserters who turned to the rebels after rivalries within East Timor's security forces erupted into violence in 2006, killing dozens and toppling the government.

Analysts said the case had been the biggest test of East Timor's fledgling judicial system since the country gained independence in 1999.

The confused incident, on 11 February 2008, saw guards and rebel soldiers shooting around Mr Ramos-Horta's home.

Rebel leader Alfredo Reinado and one other rebel were killed in the attack, which Mr Gusmao described as a coup attempt.

The shooting of Mr Ramos-Horta provoked a declaration of a state of emergency in East Timor, and heightened fears for the state's stability.

Gastao Salsinha, who took over the rebel leadership on Mr Reinado's death and surrendered to the government in April last year, was sentenced to 16 years in prison. The shortest sentence was nine years and four months.

The rebels had been on the run since violent protests in 2006 that left more than 30 people dead. They had been triggered by plans to sack 600 striking members of the army.