BY MELVILLE TITIULU
A man has pleaded not guilty to charges accusing him of being involved in the 2021 riots in Honiara.
Moffat Joel Konofilia faces – count 1 sedition contrary to section 3(1)(i) of the Sedition Act; and count 2 taking part in unlawful assembly contrary to section 74 of the Penal Code.
The matter was heard before Principal Magistrate Tearo Beneteti yesterday.
Prosecution told court in its opening address that the issues before trial are;
-Firstly, whether or not the defendant was part of the group of men called the Malaita for Democracy (M4D) who travelled from Malaita on a ship and converged at Point Cruz, calling for the resignation of then Prime Minister, Manasseh Sogavare on November 24, 2021.
-Secondly, whether or not that amounts to unlawful assembly.
A total of seven prosecution evidence was tendered and exhibited in court. These included statement by police, statement by City Clerk of HCC, the “non approval’’ permit for protest issued by HCC, records of interview between the police with the defendant, digital footage take from Zfm media digital footage, 13 photographic images taken from Zfm source, and lastly a video footage.
Prosecution told court that apart from these exhibits tendered by consent, five prosecution witnesses (PW) will be called to give evidence on oath.
Yesterday two PWs were called. PW1 and PW2 were examined and cross-examined.
PW1 is a superintendent police officer.
PW1 gave evidence that he was part of the central command who were deployed to the vicinity of the Parliament house as part of an operation called ‘Operation Parliament’ during the time in question.
PW1 told court he was tasked to look after the northern gate of Parliament – situated beside the LCC office and the refueling station area at Point Cruz.
In cross-examination defence put it to PW1 that the defendant did not come onboard a boat from Auki, Malaita province.
Defence further put it to PW1, that he would not be in a better position to have known with certainty if the defendant in fact came in the boat from Malaita Province – to which PW1 confirmed.
Defence also put it to PW1 that the defendant was not their leader even though he was seen with the crowd – to which PW1 confirmed.
PW2 is a police constable officer.
In cross-examination, defence put it to PW2 that he would not be in a better position to have known with certainty if the defendant came by boat from Malaita province – to which PW2 confirmed.
The trial was adjourned for today, Friday, March 13 at 9.30am for continuation of trial where three more prosecution witnesses will be called to give evidence on oath.
Bail was extended for Mr Konofilia.
Special Prosecuting counsel, Ms Mary -Ann Zurenuoc from the Director of Public Prosecutions, appeared for the Crown, while Mrs Lilly Ramo from Just Lawyers represented the defendant. Konofilia.
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