Results for From the Courts

Five Tongan People's Representatives, charged with sedition in relation to the Nuku'alofa riots of November 16 last year, have asked not to be tried by a jury, but by judge alone, when they appear for trial in the Nuku'alofa Supreme Court on a date to be set.

The Preliminary Inquiry Hearing of William Clive Edwards, 'Uliti Uata and 'Akilisi Pohiva on a second sedition charge started at the Nuku'alofa Police Magistrate's court yesterday morning, May 29.

Tonga's Prime Minister, Dr Feleti Sevele was repeatedly warned by 'Akilisi Pohiva that Nuku'alofa would be destroyed if the government would not do what the people wanted, Lopeti Senituli, told the Nuku'alofa Police Magistrate's Court yesterday morning.

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.

The hearing of a preliminary inquiry for the five People's Representatives continued today, with the prosecution calling three more witnesses to give evidence at the Nuku'alofa Magistrate's Court, on the events leading up to the November 16 riot. The prosecution intends to call another 20 witnesses in the days ahead.

A Tongatapu People's Representative, 'Akilisi Pohiva and a fellow street protestor, Tu'i Uata were today convicted on charges relating to a protest march on June 1 last year.

The Preliminary Inquiry hearing of five People's Representatives, charged with crimes relating to the November 16 riots, that was scheduled to start today has been adjourned to Thursday, May 3.

The trial of three street protesters, 'Akilisi Pohiva, Tu'i Uata and Semisi Sika, ended at the Fasi-moe-afi Police Magistrate's Court yesterday.

'Ofila Havea (44) of Popua, was ordered to appear in the Nuku'alofa Supreme Court for trial relating to the damage of the Ministry of Finance office during the Nuku'alofa riots of November 16, 2006.