Journalist, ex-MP claim 'no case' in treason trial

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JOURNALIST, EX-MP CLAIM 'NO CASE' IN TREASON TRIAL
http://www.fijilive.com/

SUVA (FijiLive/Pacific Media Watch): A Fiji journalist and a former MP accused of treason have filed for no case to answer before the High Court, the Daily Post reports.

Treason accused Jo Nata, former training coordinator of the now defunct Fiji Journalism Institute (FJI) and Ratu Timoci Silatolu, filed their papers before Justice Andrew Wilson after the Public Prosecutions Office finished presenting its case.

The treason trail was forced to be adjourned yesterday when one of the five assessors did not turn up to the High Court.

The Daily Post reported that state witness Simione Drole denied charges against him, saying he had pleaded guilty to treason.

He was cautioned on why charges against him were dropped for firing shots at police officers at the height of the May 19 coup.

State prosecutor Peter Ridgway asked why he had had not decided to become a state witness until July 18.

Ridgway will respond to the claim filed by Silatolu and Nata.

The two were charged for their participation in the 19 May 2000 coup with frontman George Speight.

+++niuswire

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