A hearing date has been set for four Methodist Church ministers who have been charged with organizing and participating in a meeting in contravention of the Public Emergency Regulation.

Reverend Ame Tugaue, Reverend Tuikilakila Waqairatu, Reverend Manasa Lasaro and Reverend Tomasi Kanailagi appeared before Suva Magistrate Thushara Rajasinghe along with their lawyers this morning.

The trial was supposed to start today however Kanailagi and Lasaro’s lawyer, Aseri Vakaloloma informed the court that his clients are heart patients and will not be able to stand the trial.

The matter has been adjourned to next year where a medical doctor is expected to testify whether Kanailagi and Lasaro are fit to stand the trial.

Meanwhile, the DPP lawyer informed the court today that Tugaue, Kanailagi and Lasaro had allegedly admitted in their caution interview that they had a meeting however defense lawyers stated that the question is whether they knew that it was an unlawful meeting.

Magistrate Rajasinghe then said that this is a matter to be discussed in the trial proper.

The case has been adjourned to 27th February for mention while the full hearing is expected to start from the 10th of May next year.

 
Story by: Praneeta Deo & Ronal Deo