The trial of five People's Representatives who are charged with sedition is postponed again awaiting a decision by the Court of Appeal, but a two-day hearing on legal arguments will be held in the Nuku'alofa Supreme Court on September 25-26.

Tonga's Acting Solicitor General, 'Aminiasi Kefu, confirmed yesterday, that the five PRs were scheduled to appear in the Nuku'alofa Supreme Court on Monday, August 11 for a three weeks trial. But because the Court of Appeal sat late, the judges needed more time to consider their decision, said the Acting Solicitor General.

The Court of Appeal concluded in Nuku'alofa on July 25 and passed decisions on most of the 14 appeal cases it heard but it did not pass its decision regarding the PR's appeal over additional 16/11 charges filed against them by the Crown.

If the Court of Appeal upholds the Chief Justice's ruling the accused will face three charges each, including sedition, abetment to a riotous assembly and abetment to the damage of buildings.

In the meantime no date has been set on when the decision will be reached.

The PRs namely 'Akilisi Pohiva, 'Isileli Pulu, William Clive Edwards, 'Uliti Uata and a former PR Lepolo Taunisila challenged a decision made by Chief Justice Anthony Ford in October 2007 to allow the Crown to file two additional charges of abetment to a riotous assembly and abetment to the damage of buildings against each of the five accused.

Charges withdrawn

In September 2007, the Crown withdrew six of the initial seven charges that it leveled at the five accused, leaving only a sedition charge, allegedly committed between November 13 to 16, 2006.

The accused all pleaded not guilty to the charge.

New charges

In October 2007, the Crown then filed two new charges against the five representatives, who objected and filed submissions against it.