BY ROMINAH FAKA

Judgement into the case of a man charged in connection with the 2021 riot was delivered Thursday last week at Magistrate Court.

Court acquitted the defendant on count-one, which was sedition, but convicted him on counts two and three which were unlawful assembly and count-four arson.

After the ruling delivered the presiding principal magistrate adjourns the matter to May 15 for sentencing and mitigation submissions from both defence and prosecution.

Court heard on November 24, 2021 Kwate’e together with a group of people protested at the Parliament House for the Prime Minister to step down.

On the following day he and a group of people went and set fire to the Naha Police Station.

This happened during the three days of violence in Honiara which left Chinatown in ruins and business houses and shops in Honiara looted and set on fire.

Naha Police Station was looted and also set on fire, but fortunately was put out by the Naha Community.

Around 200 peacekeepers from Australia, Fiji, New Zealand and Papua New Guinea were deployed to Honiara to help restore law and order.

Fransica Luza act for Crown and Bobby Harunari act for the Kwate’e.

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