16 Jul 2008

Tonga's judiciary described as independent

9:05 pm on 16 July 2008

A Tongan broadcaster, who was cleared of charges relating to the 2006 Nukua'lofa riot, has praised the kingdom's judiciary.

Sangster Saulala has been been arrested twice and charged on four counts, including sedition and unlawful assembly.

But the high court dismissed all accusations against him last Friday, citing insufficient evidence.

Mr Saulala says the government wrongfully charged him and took away his broadcasting rights, when all he did was doing his job.

He says the court ruling last week proves the judiciary is independent.

"It shows the world that the judiciary here in Tonga is fair and that there's justice there. That's the only place in Tonga that has fairness and accountability and transparency and we are hoping what happened in the justice system can happen in parliament; that we have more democracy and fairness."

On Monday, the number two people's representative, Isi Pulu, was also cleared of all charges regarding the riot.