Rick Riechelmann (60) was sentenced to 21-months imprisonment for possession of cannabis seized at his home in Fangaloto. The sentence was fully suspended after the judge considered the health issues the defendant faced. The defendant admitted he was smoking cannabis for pain relief and taking it palliatively.
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Results for Tonga
Friday 24 September 2021
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
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Friday 24 September 2021
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Sione Pouono (21) was sentenced to 32 and a half-months imprisonment for serious causing bodily harm, when he used a hammer to beat up the driver who gave him a lift, when he was hitch-hiking in Lapaha. He was currently serving time in prison for a knife attack that severed a victim's finger, that happened the day before the hammer attack.
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Thursday 23 September 2021
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Five hundred water tanks from China’s Dongguan City were donated to Tonga at a ceremony at Queen Salote Hall, Nuku’alofa on 22 September. The water tanks will help vulnerable families adapt to climate change impacts.
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Thursday 23 September 2021
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
The COVID-19 vaccine program will start rolling out in the Niuas on 28 September, the Ministry of Health confirmed yesterday. Meanwhile, the Health CEO Dr Siale ‘Akau'ola urged young people (18-29 years) throughout Tonga to hurry up and get their vaccinations because COVID-19 can reach Tonga. “If you get the vaccine while there is a COVID outbreak, it’s too late. There will be hundreds of lives lost,” he warned.
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Thursday 23 September 2021
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
The second session of Tonga's Court of Appeal for this year concluded today, September 23. Judgements on 11 cases including land, criminal and civil appeals, will be delivered in due course.
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Thursday 23 September 2021
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Lisiate Lakalaka (21) was sentenced to 16-months imprisonment for serious housebreaking and theft of electronics goods valued at $10,900 pa’anga, at 'Anana. The offender had previous convictions.
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Thursday 23 September 2021
Dubai, UAE
The Tongan Pavilion at Dubai Expo 2020, a multi-million dollar facility built with assistance from the government of UAE, was officially handed over to Tonga's Ambassador, ahead of the official opening of the world expo next week. The theme of the pavilion ‘One Planet for All’ aims to shed light on the dangers of plastic waste to the ocean, its inhabitants and the subsequent challenges faced by the Pacific people.
Wednesday 22 September 2021
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Latu Mata’u (43) was sentenced to 34-months imprisonment for serious causing bodily harm to a 21-year-old, whom he injured with a metal pipe while drinking at Veitongo. The sentence was fully suspended due to factors considered by the Supreme Court Judge that resulted in this exception.
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Wednesday 22 September 2021
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Vainikolo Maile (39) who was convicted of serious indecent assault of a woman received a suspended sentence on condition, that he voluntarily be admitted to the Psychiatric Ward at Vaiola Hospital for three-months. The judge said Maile is someone who has struggled with intellectual impairment from birth and there was no system of support that was offered in his formative years.
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Wednesday 22 September 2021
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
A masked man who robbed a Tongatapu petrol station on September 7 has been arrested by Tonga Police.
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Tuesday 21 September 2021
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
HM King Tupou VI will open a two-day National Symposium on Illicit Drugs on October 6, aimed to develop a way forward in Tonga's fight against illicit drugs.
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Tuesday 21 September 2021
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Nomani Kama Manulevu (45) from Nukuhetulu is the man charged with the exportation of 30 kilograms of methamphetamine from Tonga. He is remanded in police custody, after appearing at the Fasi Magistrate's Court on September 20.
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Tuesday 21 September 2021
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Ta‘ufo‘ou Fale‘ofa (45) was sentenced today to 20-months imprisonment for using a firearm without a license, specifically a .45 pistol, which he fired at a vehicle in Kolonga in January this year, after entering a home with a loaded firearm. The judge noted the accused had a significant criminal history both here and in the United States for violence involving firearms.
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Monday 20 September 2021
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Petrol, kerosene, and diesel prices have decreased for September - October starting today, September 20, as approved by the Tonga Competent Authority, while the LPG price has increased for September - December.
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Monday 20 September 2021
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
‘Isileli and Sofia Tu’ifua (both 27) were sentenced to six-months imprisonment each, after being convicted on joint counts of possessing methamphetamine and cannabis. Their sentences were fully suspended.
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Monday 20 September 2021
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Samuela Fiefia (26) was sentenced to eight months imprisonment for possession of 1.19 grams methamphetamine and possession 4.27 grams of cannabis seized at his home in Ma'ufanga.
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Monday 20 September 2021
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Christchurch, New Zealand
Sisi’uhila Kiu, from Lapaha, Tonga, made a final commitment as Carmelite Sister Anne Mary of the Assumption in a ceremony held at the Carmelite Monastery in Christchurch, New Zealand, on August 15.
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Saturday 18 September 2021
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Another 897 Tongans received their first shots and 51 received their second doses of COVID-19 vaccine, for the week September 10-16, after the Ministry of Health urged the 16,352 unvaccinated people in the targeted age groups to hurry up and get their shots this month before the vaccines expire. Unfortunately, at this rate it would take another 55 weeks to reach the target.
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Thursday 16 September 2021
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
A 45-year-old man from Nukuhetulu, charged with the exportation of 30 kilograms of methamphetamine from Tonga, is to appear at the Magistrate's Court on Monday, September 20. The alleged methamphetamine was seized in New Zealand last month. The accused was arrested on September 9 in Tonga.
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Thursday 16 September 2021
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
On the closing of the 2021 parliamentary session today, King Tupou VI stated that it was important for the House to make sure that the government of the day used taxpayers' money wisely. In a speech read by Lord Ve'ehala, the King said that in this election year Tonga faces many challenges, including illicit drugs, the COVID-19 pandemic and climate change. He wished Tongans: “All the best for sensible voting in the coming November election.” From the House by Pesi Fonua.
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