A New Zealand court has indicted 9 men and 1 woman for the kidnapping and death of a Thai woman, Jindarat Prutsiriporn in March this year. Among the accused are five Pacific Islander men: Tevita Matangi Fangupo (23), Luigi Havea (26), Panepasa Havea (25), Masi Vaifale (34) and Rogers Paleaaesina (25). A trial date has been set for next year.

According to local reports, Jindarat attempted to escape out of a boot of a moving car in Auckland on March 1. Her arms, legs and neck were tied, and her mouth gagged. Jindarat suffered severe injuries as a result of falling on the road and was rushed to hospital where she died a day later.

New Zealand Police have stated that Jindarat had links to organised crime and was facing drug charges before her death.

Last week June 1, all of the accused pleaded not guilty to the charges of Kidnapping and Manslaughter. All of the accused have been named, except the woman who has been granted name supression for the protection of her children. The other accused are Seng Lek Liev (25), Joseph Benjamin Haurua (33), Sodarith Sao (25) and Aphichart Korhomklang (30).