Police High Profile Squad investigated PR Teisino Fuko [1]
Friday, March 13, 2009 - 19:06. Updated on Friday, September 12, 2014 - 15:06.
The Nuku'alofa Supreme Court heard this morning that the accused Ha'apai People's Representative Sione Teisina Fuko, admitted to a police investigator that his speech "may be" incited or encouraged disaffection.
The jury trial of six men charged with sedition relating to the riots of November 16, 2006 reached its tenth day today, March 13.
Crown witness Lance Corporal Filipe Fifita told the court's morning session, that in December 2006 he was attached to a Police High Profile Squad and their task was to check out information on speeches made by people that might construe to sedition in relation to November 16.
One particular person he investigated was a People's Representative Sione Teisina Fuko, one of the accused. He is charged with three counts of sedition in relation to speeches made on November 15 in Pangai Si'i and at the OBN Television, with the other on November 16 at Pangai Si'i.
Declaration of war
The charges against Fuko related to speeches, which made reference to clashes if government did not consent to a reform. The defendant had also referred to the reform model submitted by government at the time and said it was a declaration of war to the people.
The witness read in court a record of an interview dated January 27, 2007 where he interviewed the accused and Fuko had confirmed he was the President of the People's Democratic Party, which had 200 members.
In the record of interview the accused was asked whether he was on a TV panel prior to November 16, and he answered, yes but there were many. He did confirm one with Semisi Tapueluelu and others on OBN television on November 15, 2006.
During the interview he was asked by the Lance Corporal about the objective of the panel, and he said it was in relation to the reform and political reform proposals.
An extract of what he said was, "the model submitted by the Prime Minister Dr Feleti Sevele from Government is a declaration of war and if he agrees to it then it is a declaration of war to the people."
The accused was questioned if the extract of his speech had contributed to the disorder that took place, and he had answered, "may be" but he thought there were other ways that could have prevented it.
It was also put to him that his speech encouraged disaffection against Government and he answered "may be", in the record of interview.
The witness confirmed to the court, the accused was arrested on January 26, 2007 and was brought to the Nuku'alofa Police station for questioning. On January 27 he was interviewed and there were four record of interviews made on the exact day but at different times.
The witness continued to give evidence in the court's afternoon session. The trial week continues next week with the remaining Crown witnesses.
The six accused are Paula Vi of Masilamea, Siosiua Uipi of Fatai, Tevita Fifita of Popua, Siale Fihaki of Nukunuku, Semisi Tapueluelu of Haveluloto and Sione Teisina Fuko of Ma'ufanga.