Witness: Two Accused Signed Document Because They Rejected Elected Government

Two of the accused in the Nadroga-Navosa sedition trial had told a Police detective that they did not support the Government that was elected in 2014, the Lautoka High Court heard yesterday.

The Police detective, Isoa Natui, gave evidence as the fourth State witness.

He said the 11th accused, Eroni Rikoviko, and 14th accused Jorama Ratulevu, had said in their caution interview that they had signed the Nadroga/Navosa Sovereign Christian State to bring back the rights of indigenous people, which they claimed were taken away by the Government in 2013.

Defence lawyer Aman Ravindra Singh said there were two copies of the Nadroga/Navosa Sovereign Christian State document from his two clients and only one was disclosed to the defence.

He told the court that he knew that Prosecution only referred to one document during the course of the caution interview. He said this caused doubt in the authenticity of the documents which Prosecution was relying on.

In response, State lawyer Lee Burney said Mr Singh should have known as his clients had stated in their respective caution interviews that they had submitted more than one copy of Nadroga/Navosa Sovereign Christian State document. Mr Burney said that there were no doubts in the authenticity of the document as Mr Singh’s clients had agreed to signing the same document in their caution interviews and agreed that the documents were seized from them.

The trial will continue on Monday before judge Justice Sunil Sharma.

The 14 facing sedition charges are: Ratu Inoke Tasere, Jimi Koroibete, Seru Kunalagi, Adi Cuvu Gavidi Atama, Ulaiyasi Rabua Tuivono, Peniasi Naqau, Semi Tanikili, Ratu Osea Bolawaqatabu, Ratu Tevita Khaikhainabokola-wale Makutu, Mosese Navaci, Eroni Rikoriko, Alifereti Nakuinivou, Alifereti Gonewai and Jorama Ratulevu.