Qaranivalu November 2000 mutiny trial deferred again

Time constraints and the lack of an assessor has yet again forced the adjournment of the November 2000 mutiny retrial of Naitasiri High Chief Ratu Inoke Takiveikata this morning.

When the case was called before High Court Judge Justice Daniel Goundar this morning, defence and prosecution indicated that they are finalizing the agreed facts in the case and would be ready to proceed from this afternoon.

However, Justice Goundar indicated that the registry staffs are yet to get one more assessor for the trial.

He then consulted with the two counsels and informed them that there is another trial pending before him from October 1st where the accused has been in custody for about two years and he will not vacate the trial.

State Prosecutor David Toganivalu indicated that their case would take five to six days while Defence counsel Filimoni Vosarogo stated that their case would take another two days.

Judge Goundar said the case may not be completed by the end of the month and so he has adjourned the matter to November 8th when all parties would review the circumstances and decide whether the trial can go ahead.

Ratu Inoke Takiveikata faces a retrial for his alleged role in the attempted mutiny at Queen Elizabeth Barracks in November 2000.

Last week the trial got underway but Judge Goundar ordered a mistrial after the second day after it was discovered that one of the assessors in the case was a former member of the Territorial forces with the RFMF.


Story by: Roneel Lal