LAW
BENDING NOT SO STRAIGHT
Thursday,
18 January 2007
Last
Friday out-spoken ‘business woman ’Ofa Simiki was
discharged from prison after Salesi Mafi (Fakamaau Polisi) received a
letter from ’Ofa Simiki’s Lawyer William Clive
Edwards demanding immediate release of his client due to no legal
ground for holding her there.
Clive
apparently stated in his letter that it was illegal to arrest someone
and put them in prison for an alleged criminal offense committed a day
before a new law criminalising that offense is passed. Due to
the chaos of 16/11 Tongan Prime Minister Dr. Feleti Sevele used his
authority to pass new law for emergency powers effective Friday 17th
November 2006.
Clive
Edwards also told Kele’a newspaper “imprisoning
‘Ofa Simiki before receiving a court decision is illegal.
The
Kele’a claims Fakamaau Polisi Salesi Mafi authorised the
release of ‘Ofa Simiki in the midst of fellow police officers
pleas to allow them to continue holding her in prison.
Recently
Police had arrested ‘Ofa Simiki and charged her for sedition
and inciting riots.
Current
reports indicate ‘Ofa Simiki is out of prison but specific
restrictions have been put in place for her.
Meantime,
people’s representative ‘Isileli Pulu is reported
to be still in prison.
Pro-Demo
Leader ‘Akilisi Pohiva told TNEWS he believes the government
will do anything to crush them, he is certain they will come after him
and his family.
‘Akilisi
also told TNEWS he is not afraid as he is innocent.
Story:
Setita Millar
Email:
setita@tnews.co.nz