Results for 16/11

Witness, Hon. Luani told a Preliminary Inquiry today that he had initially supported a proposal by five People's Representatives for the People to elect 21 representatives into the House, but he did not agree with the methods used in trying to achieve this.

As a result of the continuing monitoring of the security situation in the country, Government has extended the period for the state of emergency, but with some changes to the associated regulations.

The hearing of a Preliminary Inquiry for five People's Representatives on sedition charges relating to the riots of November 16, started at the Nuku'alofa Police Magistrate's Court this morning.

Shoreline lost phone cards with a face value of about $4-5 million pa'anga during the riots of November 16, a witness told the Nuku'alofa Magistrate's Court yesterday during a hearing of a man accused of stealing about seven of the cards.

Police Magistrate Salesi Mafi today, March 20 ordered Talifolau Letisi (33) to appear at the Nuku'alofa Supreme Court for trial on charges relating to the destruction of key Government offices and business premises during the Nuku'alofa riots on November 16, 2006.

The Prosecution Team of the Crown Law Department this morning took over from the Police Prosecution Team at the Nuku'alofa Magistrate's Court, to prosecute cases involving major crimes that were committed during the destruction of the capital Nuku'alofa on November 16, 2006.

Three months after the Nuku'alofa Central Business District was destroyed by a mob on November 16, 2006, very little reconstruction work has begun. Photos by Linny Folau

May I suggest that the Riot on 16/11 is a completely separate issue from "Shoreline". Let us not get confused please. The burning of Tonga on 16/11 was a criminal act. In the civilised world, the Law must be applied to all. I am satisfied that justice will be done in Tonga thanks to the help from the New Zealand Police. The Prime Minister has nothing to do with the arrests of the PR leaders. If the Police found evidence that these PR members committed offences in connection with 16/11 then they must be dealt with according to the Law of the Land. Amen.

Mr. Viliami Lakasi questions the validity, and the "repayment terms" of the Government loan to Shoreline in his letter (Jan. 31, 2007). Perhaps in good times Mr. Lakasi's inquiry could be viewed with interest. But in view of what happened on November, 16, 2006, I would say Mr. Lakasi is on the insensitive side. - Sione Ake Mokofisi