A last ditch attempt by Lucia Lobato to appeal against a decision to sentence her to five years imprisonment over corruption has been rejected by the Court of Appeals, Timor-Leste's highest court (Radio Liberdade).

In last December, the same Court of Appeals already confirmed a decision by a lower court, which had sentenced her with a lesser prison term. However a loophole in the legal system allowed her to access further recourse.

Lobato, the former minister of justice under Xanana Gusmao's government, has been accused of corruption following a deal to purchase prison equipment involving her husband. Although the allegations against Lobato surfaced in 2008 and her case investigated by the country's judicial system, she continued to hold her justice portfolio until 2012, just before the national elections, in which saw Xanana Gusmao's CNRT party winning the most votes. Gusmao continues to lead Timor-Leste's coalition government.

According to Radio Liberdade, Lobato was transferred to Gleno Prison yesterday to begin serving her five-year plus sentence (read a description of Gleno Prison by The Dili Weekly). She was accompanied by her family, including her cousin Rogerio Lobato, who also served time in prison over his involvement in the 2006 crisis.