MINISTER OF JUSTICE LUCIA LOBATO IS OFFICIALLY NOTIFIED AS SUSPECT IN BERE CASE

Written by CJITL Editor-Friday, 09 July 2010

Dili Flash, Thursday 8 July 2010:



Lucia Brandao Lobato, Minister for Justice has been officially
notified by the Timor-Leste Prosecutorial authorities as a suspect
because of her suspected involvement with the release of former
Laksaur militia leader, Maternus Bere.

The Minister for Justice Lucia Lobato appeared in the company with her
lawyer Sergio Hornay to give her statement regarding her involvement
in the release of Maternus Bere on 30 August 2009.

During this interrogation process the Minister had to comply with her
legal obligations to answer numerous questions regarding her
involvement in the case.

Shortly after giving her statement to the Prosecutorial Authorities,
Lucia Lobato told journalist that she was the one who released him,
but that the decision had been made by the President of the Republic
(PR) Jose Ramos-Horta, because Horta had already promised to Jakarta
before 30 August 2009 that Maternus Bere would be handed over to the
Indonesian government.

“As a political leader who released Maternus Bere, I take
responsibility for my actions, but other political leaders must also
accept responsibility,” stated Lucia.

“I have already asked the Prosecutorial Authorities to also take
statements from President Horta, Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao as well
as the Prosecutor General of the Republic, because they were all
involved, but in the end it was the Minister of Justice alone that has
had to answer, that is unjust,” Lucia pointed out.

Lucia Lobato received the notification letter on 22 June 2010
notifying that she had been made a suspect in the case of the release
of Maternus Bere from Becora Prison.

“I want to say that the accused states that I took Maternus Bere out
of jail, this I do not accept, because everyone was involved,”
affirmed Lobato.

Sergio Hornay as defense counsel to the Minister for Justice, Lucia
Lobato confirmed that high level figures should not wash their hands
of this case, but that it is in everyone’s interest that everyone take
responsibility and not just his client. (CJITL Editor)