Results for From the Courts

On the second day of a jury trial of four accused charged with multiple offences arising out of the November 16 riots, a witness told the jury on April 6, that he saw one accused smash the glass windows of the Molisi Supermarket.

One woman and four men who are accused of multiple offences relating to the November 16 destruction in Nuku'alofa: 'Ofa Simiki, 'Etuate Uata, 'Asiata Masima, 'Onitulei Manu and Kata Leleifua, pleaded not guilty to a total of 16 charges, in the Nuku'alofa Supreme Court this morning

A jury this afternoon at the Nuku‘alofa Supreme Court found five men not guilty of sedition charges relating to the riots and destruction of Nuku'lofa, November 16, 2006.

Legal arguments over a comment allegedly made by accused People's Representative Sione Teisina Fuko, took up the first part of this morning's session at the Nuku'alofa Supreme Court.

"I have made it clear in previous 16/11 cases that anyone who sets fire to a building or vehicle will go to prison even if they are first time offenders", Chief Justice Anthony Ford told Sione Mohuanga in sentencing him to two years in prison today.

A witness told the Nuku‘alofa Supreme Court today that on November 16, 2006 he saw and heard the accused Siale Fihaki's speech at Pangai Si'i, where he made reference to certain properties, shortly after they were damaged.

A crown witness who initially told the Nuku'alofa Supreme Court that he saw and heard the alleged speech made by defendant Tevita Fifita on television before November 16, changed his statement at the end.

Six people, accused of sedition in relation to the events of 16/11, appeared in the Nuku‘alofa Supreme Court today at the start of a trial that is expected to last over two weeks.

The case of the 59-year-old Chinese naturalised Tongan woman charged with attempted murder and other crimes will be tried in the Nuku'alofa Supreme Court.