Darwin woman to face East Timor trial

(AAP) A Darwin woman will face trial in East Timor on Monday accused of conspiring to assassinate the country's top political leaders.

Angelita Pires, a dual citizen of Australia and East Timor, will face trial -
alongside 27 others - over the attacks on President Jose Ramos Horta and Prime
Minister Xanana Gusmao in February 2008.
Pires, 43, was then the lover of rebel leader Alfredo Reinado, who was shot dead in
an ambush that left Ramos Horta critically wounded.
Prosecutors are expected to allege Pires urged Reinado to kill Ramos Horta and
Gusmao, who escaped the attacks unhurt.
Pires maintains her innocence. Her lawyers believe the case against her is
"hopelessly inadequate" and should be abandoned.
The trial, before a panel of three judges, is expected to last at least several months.