14 Nov 2019

Nauru Supreme Court dismisses another 'Nauru 19' appeal

4:25 pm on 14 November 2019

A Nauru Supreme Court judge has dismissed another adjournment application by members of the so-called 'Nauru 19'.

Crowds gather in Nauru

The 2015 protest outside the Nauru Parliament kicked off the long-running saga. Photo: supplied/ Shane Bazzi

That marks the start of the retrial of the group of activists and former politicians who were involved in an anti-government protest in 2015.

They face charges including rioting and disrupting the legislature.

They were awarded a permanent stay on proceedings last year by Supreme Court Judge Geoffrey Muecke, which was later dismissed by the Nauru Court of Appeal.

This month, newly-appointed Supreme Court Justice Daniel Fatiaki rejected another stay application and refused the Nauru 19 an appeal of this.

A lawyer who has worked with the group, Stephen Lawrence, said on Thursday that Justice Faitaki dismissed an adjournment application.

Mr Lawrence said the decision showed the trial was a sham.

The trial continues on Friday.

T-shirts worn by family and supporters of the 19 Nauruans who were prosecuted by government for staging a protest outside of parliament in 2015.

T-shirts worn by family and supporters of the 'Nauru 19'. Photo: Nauru 19/ Facebook