16 May 2008

Jury trial set for Tongan MP Pulu

3:23 pm on 16 May 2008

A Tongan MP, Isileli Pulu, has elected trial by jury on charges of abetting murder and arson at the Shoreline Building during the riot of November 16th in 2006.

The Matangi Tonga website reports that Mr Pulu, who the Number 2 People's Representative on the main island of Tongatapu, pleaded not guilty to a total of ten charges in a preliminary hearing earlier this month.

The charges include eight of abetting murder in relation to the deaths of eight people in a fire started by rioters in the Shoreline building, and two charges of abetting arson.

His trial is to begin on June 9th.