Liu Lirong released from police custody [1]
Friday, January 14, 2011 - 19:00. Updated on Monday, September 9, 2013 - 18:40.
LIU Lirong, the woman accused of seven counts of trafficking persons into Tonga, keeping a brothel and trading in prostitution was released from police custody this afternoon, Friday January 14.
Justice Robert Shuster initially ordered Liu, who was on bail, to be remanded in police custody on Tuesday, January 11 the first day of the trial until the prosecution's case was completed.
The order was made after Liu came late to court and the prosecution received an allegation that she had threatened the two witnesses, Chun Juan Du and Hong Yu Yang.
Counsel for the defence Laki Niu applied this afternoon for Liu's bail and it was granted since the two witnesses had finished giving evidence.
Justice Shuster ordered that Liu's release was on the condition that she does not contact Chun and Hong.
The trial continues next week in which the Crown prosecution intends to call its last two witnesses. The Crown has seven witnesses in total.