Five Liahona ex-students charged after school fight [1]
Thursday, March 13, 2014 - 17:00. Updated on Friday, March 14, 2014 - 16:15.
Five men, identified as Liahona ex-students, have been arrested and charged in connection with a school fight in Nuku‘alofa on March 6. Another eight suspects were to be arrested today, according to Tonga Police.
Chief Inspector Tevita Fifita said the arrests were in relation to an alleged attack on ‘Apifo’ou College students, including a prefect, at the bus stop on the Vuna Road seafront.
The five men, who had been charged with two counts of assault and public disorder, would remain in custody to appear at the Magistrate’s Court on March 24.
He said they expected to lay more charges against the accused after their investigation.
“In the meantime, we are planning to arrest eight more suspects today after receiving information they were involved in a group,” he said.
They included ex-students and students at Liahona High School.
The Police alleged that the fight was incited by ex-students dressed in school uniform. “It was fortunate no one was injured,” he said.
Chief Inspector Fifita said there were no fights last week as more police officers patrolled the CBD and Vuna Road area and would continue to do the same this week.
He said they were grateful that ‘Apifo‘ou was assisting them by not letting students wander into town after school. The school had announced on the radio this week for parents to pick up their children from the school grounds.