Tonga's new parliamentary Speaker of the House, Noble Veikune, and two other men pleaded not guilty to bribery charges after they appeared for their arraignment in the Nuku'’alofa Supreme Court today, May 12.

Noble Veikune was charged with one offence of bribery of a government servant.

'Amini Tu'ivai was charged with two counts of knowingly dealing with forged documents and conspiracy to commit bribery of a government servant.

Aisea To'a was charged with bribery of a government servant and conspiracy to commit bribery of a government servant.

It is alleged that in 2003 the three accused bribed government servants for the release of a container containing alcohol spirits.

Mr. Justice Anthony Ford set the hearing for the three accused to be heard on May 17 before Mr. Justice Ian Thomas.