Ashika captain released on bail [1]
Thursday, February 25, 2010 - 14:36. Updated on Monday, September 9, 2013 - 18:40.
The captain of the sunken ferry MV Princess Ashika, Viliami Makahokovalu Tuputupu, was released on bail this morning, February 25, after being arrested and charged on five counts of taking a passenger ferry out to sea, knowing that it was unseaworthy, and it is expected that others may be charged with similar offences.
Assistant Police Commander 'Unga Fa'aoa said that the captain was arrested on Tuesday, February 23 but was released from prison this morning on bail. The five counts that were brought against Viliami corresponded to the five voyages made in Tonga by the Princess Ashika, including her final voyage on 5 August.
'Unga said that a date had not been set for the captain to appear in court for a preliminary hearing and the reason for that was because there are others who may be charged with a similar offence.