By Chief Correspondent Brian Thomson in Dili
It had all the makings of a Hollywood movie.
The cast featuring the femme fatal, her slain rebel leader lover, and her rock star lawyer.
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The script, an explosive tale of double dealing and presidential assassination.
But when it came to the verdict it was more like "Carry on in the Court".
The proceedings were delivered in Portuguese, a language few people here understand.
The defendants were provided with headphones for translation. The rest of us were left in the dark.
At times it seemed like the judges were the only ones who really knew what was going on. Our interpreters certainly didn't help; she was guilty then not guilty, the rebels were exonerated then condemned. Each translation contradicting the previous one.
Amid the mayhem sat the femme fatal. Angelita Pires breaking down in tears with every flash of the camera - more "B" grade actress than "A" grade revolutionary.
Even the script needed some serious work.
This is a case she will go on fighting, she said. This is a country she will never leave.
"I was born here, I live here and I will die here and be buried next to Renaldo she said.
She leaves for Darwin tomorrow.
