The Tongatapu no. 2 People's Representative, 'Isileli Pulu appeared in the Nuku'alofa Supreme Court today and pleaded not guilty to eight charges of abetment to murder and one charge of abetment to arson.

The charges are related to the deaths in the Shoreline Office fire during the riots of November 16, 2006.

Pulu is being tried by a jury and appeared together with two other co-accused, Sosefo 'Amone and Siosiua 'Ulutaufonua.

'Amone and 'Ulutaufonua are each charged with nine counts of murder and one count of arson endangering life, also related to the deaths of eight people in the Shoreline Office fire.

Pulu is separately charged with a total of nine counts, eight are for abetment to murder and one is abetment to arson in which he is alleged to have indirectly incited the two co-accused to commit the crimes of murder and arson.

The Crown Prosecutor is the Solicitor General Linda Folaumoetu'i, who outlined their case and said the trial was directly related to the riots of November 16, 2006, which was a day of infamy, shame and grief for Tonga.

She said this was because eight people lost their lives due to the arson attack on the Shoreline building and she submitted that the three accused had directly and indirectly doings towards setting the building on fire.

The Crown submitted that 'Amone and 'Ulutaufonua set the fire to the Shoreline building and Pulu abetted them to commit the crime to burn down the building.

Anger

In summarizing the events of the day, the Crown Prosecutor told the court that on November 16, 2006, the leaders of the Pro Democracy Movement, including Pulu, held a meeting, which attracted many supporters.

The Crown believed the supporters were dissatisfied and angry at many things that resulted in many of them damaging specific buildings in Nuku'alofa, including Shoreline.

She said about 3pm all three accused made their way to the Shoreline Office and while walking there it is alleged that Pulu incited and influenced other people to burn down Shoreline.

The Crown submitted that the two accused 'Amone and 'Ulutaufonua set the fire to Shoreline that resulted in the deaths of the eight people.

And those deaths were confirmed on November 17, 2006, by the Fire Department, and the Tonga police with assistance from the New Zealand and Australian Police Force, who found the remains of the eight people inside the gutted building.

32 witnesses

The Crown outlined they will call 32 witnesses to give evidence, which will include eye witnesses of the event as well as other exhibits including video footages and pictures.

Linda Folaumoetu'i is being assisted by Crown counsel Soana Moala.

'Isileli Pulu is represented by Clive Edwards.

Sosefo 'Amone and Siosiua 'Ulutaufonua are represented by Sifa Tu'utafaiva.

The jury trial is expected to run for two to three weeks.