BY ROMINAH FAKA
The sentencing and mitigation submissions for Sade Kwate’e, who was convicted in connection with the 2021 Honiara riots, will be finalised in court on July 17, 2025.
The matter was heard on Thursday, July 3, where both counsels informed the court that they had attempted to contact the school, as directed in a previous hearing. However, the court was informed that the school is currently on holiday break.
The court adjourned the matter, directing both counsels to follow up with the school during the course of adjournment and to submit the required verification to the court before sentencing and mitigation can be finalized.
Sade Kwate’e was initially charged with one count of sedition, two counts of unlawful assembly and one count of arson. He pleaded not guilty to all charges and a trial was conducted.
Following the prosecution case, the defence submitted No Case to Answer (NCTA) submissions.
The court ruled on the NCTA submissions, stating that there was sufficient evidence for Kwate’e to answer to all four charges.
The defendant through his defence counsel, opted to remain silent without calling a witness. A closing submission was filed on behalf of the defendant.
In delivering the judgement, court acquitted Kwate’e of the sedition charge, stating that the prosecution had failed to prove beyond reason doubt that he held a leadership role, in actively shown through evidence to hold the defendant accountable and responsible to conclude that he is guilty of sedition.
However, the court convicted him for two counts of unlawful assembly and one count of one count of arson.
The court heard that on the November 24, 2021, Kwate’e together with a group of people protested at the Parliament House for the Prime Minister at that time to step down.
On the following day, November 25, he and the group of people went and set fire to the Naha Police Station.
This took place 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.
The violent acts was done by protestors who were against the government’s decision to switch ties from Taiwan to China.
Three days of violence that started on November 24, included looting of shops and business houses and shops were set on fire.
The incident also resulted in the death of three people.
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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