State witness alleges that Tora was to supply the weapons

More information has been revealed during the cross examination in the conspiracy to murder case in relation to the supply of the weapons and explosives for the planned operation.

State witness, Lance Corporal Peniasi Kuli in the trial for the eight men charged with conspiracy to murder the Prime Minister, Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama, the Attorney General, Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum and former Finance Minister, Mahendra Chaudhry, has alleged during cross-examination that the weapons which were to be used in the operation were to be supplied by former politician Apisai Tora.

Defence counsel Iqbal Khan asked Kuli where he got this information from, and Kuli said that he heard it from one of the accused.

Khan then questioned Kuli about his statement to the Police on the 11th of September, 2007 that one of the accused Barbadoes Mills and businessman Ballu Khan would provide the explosives.

Khan asked Kuli who gave him this information.

Lance Corporal Kuli replied that Mills did not tell him about the explosives but it was another accused, Sivaniolo Naulago.

Then questions were raised about a training operation in Naitasiri. Khan asked Kuli who were at the training site at Wailase.

Kuli replied that he was with four men to do a dry run in relation to the plan.

Khan asked Kuli whether he accepted there were no weapons used in the training.

Kuli said it was only a practice session.

Meanwhile Kuli said he attended 14 meetings with the accused to plan the assassination.

On to the next state witness.

State Counsel, David Toganivalu asked the second State witness, Major Isireli Narawa today to explain briefly about the meeting at Denarau with the accused, Qaranivalu, Ratu Inoke Takiveikata in September 2007.

Major Narawa said in court that while he was on his way to Nadi with Lance Corporal Kuli and Sergeant Waqa for the meeting with Ratu Inoke, Kuli's phone rang and the person from the other end said that they were to meet first at Tanoa Hotel.

While reaching Tanoa, a vehicle was parked before them directing them to Sofitel.

From the reception, Major Narawa asked the receptionist to dial to Ratu Inoke's room, and the person who answered the phone in Ratu Inoke's room was Ballu Khan.

Narawa said Ratu Inoke confirmed this to him later.

Major Narawa said that Ratu Inoke told him about their plan and that he had the backing of the Vanua and setting of the Interim Administration and to dethrone the Prime Minister.

Major Narawa told the court that Ratu Inoke told him he had approached a number of churches in Nabua, Kinoya, Cunningham and Wainivula and had planned rallies to be conducted.

State Counsel, David Toganivalu asked Narawa who were those churches. Narawa replied it was probably the Methodist churches.

Major Narawa said that Ratu Inoke told him that former politician Peceli Rinakama was out in the highlands gathering ex-military personnel for the cause.

Narawa said he was also told by Ratu Inoke that he was not worried about the arms because money was sent to New Zealand to purchase the arms and weapons.

Major Narawa said that Ratu Inoke asked him if could ask the Commander of 3FIR, Colonel Ratu Tevita Uluilakeba Mara to lead the group.

Narawa told Ratu Inoke he will try his best.

Ratu Inoke also told Major Narawa he had the support of the International Embassies including NZ, Australia, USA and the British embassies and Ratu Inoke alleged that the Australian Embassy had given $1 million to kick-start the economy if something happens.

Major Narawa told Ratu Inoke that he had something in his mind, that if something happens he will be the first one to be taken to QEB and be killed.

Major Narawa later joined the group for kava.

He said that he spent the night at the RFMF in Nadi when Prime Minister Bainimarama called him and he briefed him about the meeting with the Qaranivalu.

He said Commodore Bainimarama, the then Chief of Staff, Colonel Samuela Saumatua and the Commissioner of Police, Commodore Esala Teleni were briefed on the plan by him.        

The trial continues.