HEARING of evidences into the burning down of the leaf hut next to the Parliament House during last November’s unrest have started.
The boys aged 16 and 17 are being tried in a closed court for the charge of arson.
Prosecution called one of their seven witnesses yesterday before Chief Magistrate Emma Garo.
The trial will continue today.
The juveniles are charged to incidents on 24 November 2021.
This was during the start of the three days of unrest in the capital.
It was alleged the two teenagers were among group of people that entered the Parliament house area.
Earlier on that day, a group of protesters gathered at the Point Cruz area in front of the back entrance to the Parliament house.
They were demanding the Prime Minister to step down.
Following the protest, the police deploy officers to control the situation but as protestors got angry they behaved in an aggressive manner.
The protestors then allegedly started throwing rocks at police and as the police responded the protestors ran and escaped towards the Parliament house.
They broke into the Parliament entrance gate and ran towards the Parliament house.
Upon reaching the Parliament house the group of protesters scattered all over the area.
The two juveniles at that time allegedly walked towards the leaf hut next to the Parliament house and set it on fire using matches.
After setting the leaf hut on fire, the two juveniles then escaped but were later arrested.
By ASSUMPTA BUCHANAN
Solomon Star, Honiara
