Five weeks after the riots that destroyed about 80% of the Nuku'alofa business centre, the Deputy Police Commander, Taniela Faletau said today, that there was still a lot of criminal investigation work to do to bring those who were responsible to justice.

On the question of when are the ring leaders and the instigators of the 16/11 riot going to be arrested and put on trial? Taniela said they were still investigating. "So far we have been dealing mainly with the principal offenders, the arsonists, the thieves and those who wilfully damaged properties. With criminal cases we need firm evidence to prove beyond reason doubt."

Taniela stressed the importance of conducting a thorough investigation before laying any charges, "we can only do it once."

Called over

So far 803 suspects had been arrested and charged, and some had been released on bail. Yesterday in the Nuku'alofa Police Magistrate's Court 7, before police magistrate Salesi Mafi , 78 were called over and arraigned for a Preliminary Inquiry to be held on February 6-7, 2007. Meanwhile, 106 suspects were still detained in police custody.

The 78 suspects have been held in police stations outside of Nuku'alofa: 53 were held at the Lotoloto Police Station, Vaini; 14 were held at Mu'a and 11 were held at Hihifo.

Director of Prosecution

While the police are carrying out their investigation, a Prosecution Team of the Ministry of Justice has also been very busy since November 16. The Minister of Justice and the Attorney General Hon. 'Alisi Taumoepeau said the team was made up of four overseas lawyers from Australia and New Zealand and four local lawyers were taking their Christmas break, "but they will be back in January."

'Alisi said that in January there will be a new post at the Ministry, a Director of Prosecution, and it is going to be filled by an Australian. The establishment of a Director of Prosecution was already scheduled for next year, and it had nothing to do with the event of 16/11, she said.