THE court has issued arrest warrants for two of the people accused of masterminding the November 2021 riot in Honiara.
Simon Mannie and John Kwaita were issued with the arrest warrants last Friday after no explanations were given for their absence in court.
Their co-accused Atu was not issued with the arrest warrant because his lawyer provided a medical report to confirm he was ill and could not turn up in court.
Following yesterday’s mention, Principal Magistrate, Felix Hollison, adjourned the matter to February 17.
This matter will go before Principal Magistrate, Tearo Beneteti, who is in carriage of it.
On the next court date, Ms Beneteti will also fix a date to hear an application for suppression of the names of the prosecution’s potential witnesses before the trial proceeds.
The prosecution is required to disclose names of all its witnesses before the trial starts.
However, due to fear and concerns for the safety of its potential witnesses, the prosecution will make the application before the trial commences.
The three men had already pleaded not guilty to two counts of managing unlawful society, one count of sedition, two counts of unlawful assembly and seven counts of arson last year.
Their matters are now waiting for a pre-trial conference.
The prosecution alleged that the trio managed an unlawful society called Malaita 4 Democracy (M4D) between 1 August 2021 and 26 November 2021.
They allegedly convened meetings to plan protests to raise discontent or disaffection amongst the locals against the Prime Minister.
It was further alleged, the trio also planned and executed protests that resulted in the arson of the National Parliament leaf hut, a leaf hut in the Prime Minister’s former residential compound at Lungga as well as the Bank South Pacific branch at Ranadi and the Honiara High School Science lab and school hall.
The three-day violence from 24 November to 26 November 2021 in Honiara also saw the China Town in ruins and also the destruction of business houses and looting of shops in other parts of Honiara.
By ASSUMPTA BUCHANAN
Solomon Star, Honiara
