Prostitution trial adjourned to January 31 [1]
Monday, January 17, 2011 - 18:50. Updated on Monday, September 9, 2013 - 18:40.
THE trial of Liu Lirong for trafficking persons, trading in prostitution and keeping a brothel in Nuku'alofa was adjourned to January 31, following the conclusion of the Crown's evidence this morning.
Justice Shuster who is on leave starting Wednesday, January 19 adjourned the trial to continue on January 31 with the defence case and to sit continuously until it finishes.
The counsel for the defence, Laki Niu, indicated to the court he would call the defendant Liu as well as other witnesses to give evidence.
Crown Prosecutor Sione Sisifa called a total of seven witnesses to give evidence, including the two victims Chun Juan Du and Hong Yu Yang. The last two witnesses for the prosecution gave evidence this morning consisting of a police officer and immigration officer.
The trial began at the Supreme Court on Tuesday, January 11, where the two victims told the court the defendant Liu had forced them into prostitution.
Liu who is charged with seven counts of trafficking persons into Tonga for prostitution, keeping a brothel and trading in prostitution has pleaded not guilty to all counts.