The Dili District Court (TDD) has sentenced police officer Mariano da Silva to 16 years jail after finding him guilty of shooting dead Armindo Pereira soares in Hera on June 16, 2012.

The judge, Antonio Helder, read out the sentence, saying the Dili District Court had made its decision based on evidence and eyewitness testimony. Therefore, the Court condemned Mariano Da silva to 16 years of imprisonment.

The Court has made its decision but according to the existing law there is a period within which an appeal may be lodged (15 days).

Armindo Pereira was a student at the University of Dili who was shot and killed by the police officer in Hera after violence broke out following a political statement made by Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao's CNRT party members during its national conference to form the new government last year following elections.