{\rtf1\ansi\ansicpg1252\uc1\deff0\stshfdbch0\stshfloch0\stshfhich0\stshfbi0\deflang1033\deflangfe1033{\fonttbl{\f0\froman\fcharset0\fprq2{\*\panose 02020603050405020304}Times New Roman;}
{\f2\fmodern\fcharset0\fprq1{\*\panose 02070309020205020404}Courier New;}{\f35\fswiss\fcharset0\fprq2{\*\panose 020b0604030504040204}Tahoma;}{\f36\froman\fcharset238\fprq2 Times New Roman CE;}{\f37\froman\fcharset204\fprq2 Times New Roman Cyr;}
{\f39\froman\fcharset161\fprq2 Times New Roman Greek;}{\f40\froman\fcharset162\fprq2 Times New Roman Tur;}{\f41\froman\fcharset177\fprq2 Times New Roman (Hebrew);}{\f42\froman\fcharset178\fprq2 Times New Roman (Arabic);}
{\f43\froman\fcharset186\fprq2 Times New Roman Baltic;}{\f44\froman\fcharset163\fprq2 Times New Roman (Vietnamese);}{\f56\fmodern\fcharset238\fprq1 Courier New CE;}{\f57\fmodern\fcharset204\fprq1 Courier New Cyr;}
{\f59\fmodern\fcharset161\fprq1 Courier New Greek;}{\f60\fmodern\fcharset162\fprq1 Courier New Tur;}{\f61\fmodern\fcharset177\fprq1 Courier New (Hebrew);}{\f62\fmodern\fcharset178\fprq1 Courier New (Arabic);}
{\f63\fmodern\fcharset186\fprq1 Courier New Baltic;}{\f64\fmodern\fcharset163\fprq1 Courier New (Vietnamese);}{\f386\fswiss\fcharset238\fprq2 Tahoma CE;}{\f387\fswiss\fcharset204\fprq2 Tahoma Cyr;}{\f389\fswiss\fcharset161\fprq2 Tahoma Greek;}
{\f390\fswiss\fcharset162\fprq2 Tahoma Tur;}{\f391\fswiss\fcharset177\fprq2 Tahoma (Hebrew);}{\f392\fswiss\fcharset178\fprq2 Tahoma (Arabic);}{\f393\fswiss\fcharset186\fprq2 Tahoma Baltic;}{\f394\fswiss\fcharset163\fprq2 Tahoma (Vietnamese);}
{\f395\fswiss\fcharset222\fprq2 Tahoma (Thai);}}{\colortbl;\red0\green0\blue0;\red0\green0\blue255;\red0\green255\blue255;\red0\green255\blue0;\red255\green0\blue255;\red255\green0\blue0;\red255\green255\blue0;\red255\green255\blue255;
\red0\green0\blue128;\red0\green128\blue128;\red0\green128\blue0;\red128\green0\blue128;\red128\green0\blue0;\red128\green128\blue0;\red128\green128\blue128;\red192\green192\blue192;}{\stylesheet{
\ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \fs20\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 \snext0 Normal;}{\s1\ql \li0\ri0\sl480\slmult1
\keepn\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\outlinelevel0\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \f2\fs24\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 \sbasedon0 \snext0 heading 1;}{\s2\qc \li0\ri0\sl480\slmult1
\keepn\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\outlinelevel1\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \f2\fs24\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 \sbasedon0 \snext0 heading 2;}{\s3\qc \li0\ri0\sl480\slmult1
\keepn\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\outlinelevel2\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \b\f2\fs24\ul\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 \sbasedon0 \snext0 heading 3;}{
\s4\qc \li4320\ri0\keepn\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\outlinelevel3\adjustright\rin0\lin4320\itap0 \b\f2\fs24\ul\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 \sbasedon0 \snext0 heading 4;}{\*\cs10 \additive \ssemihidden Default Paragraph Font;}
{\*\ts11\tsrowd\trftsWidthB3\trpaddl108\trpaddr108\trpaddfl3\trpaddft3\trpaddfb3\trpaddfr3\trcbpat1\trcfpat1\tscellwidthfts0\tsvertalt\tsbrdrt\tsbrdrl\tsbrdrb\tsbrdrr\tsbrdrdgl\tsbrdrdgr\tsbrdrh\tsbrdrv 
\ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \fs20\lang1024\langfe1024\cgrid\langnp1024\langfenp1024 \snext11 \ssemihidden Normal Table;}{\s15\ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \cbpat9 
\f35\fs20\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 \sbasedon0 \snext15 \ssemihidden Document Map;}{\s16\ql \fi-1440\li1440\ri0\sl480\slmult1\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin1440\itap0 
\f2\fs24\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 \sbasedon0 \snext16 Body Text 2;}{\s17\ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\tqc\tx4320\tqr\tx8640\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \fs20\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 
\sbasedon0 \snext17 header;}{\*\cs18 \additive \sbasedon10 page number;}}{\*\rsidtbl \rsid4071825\rsid12262646}{\*\generator Microsoft Word 10.0.6764;}{\info{\title IN THE HIGH COURT OF FIJI}{\author Information Technology Unit}{\operator blake_r}
{\creatim\yr2005\mo12\dy1\hr9\min14}{\revtim\yr2005\mo12\dy1\hr9\min14}{\printim\yr2004\mo7\dy6\hr14\min16}{\version2}{\edmins0}{\nofpages4}{\nofwords1220}{\nofchars6957}{\*\company Judicial Department}{\nofcharsws8161}{\vern16391}}
\widowctrl\ftnbj\aenddoc\noxlattoyen\expshrtn\noultrlspc\dntblnsbdb\nospaceforul\formshade\horzdoc\dghspace180\dgvspace180\dghorigin1701\dgvorigin1984\dghshow0\dgvshow0\jexpand\viewkind4\viewscale100\pgbrdrhead\pgbrdrfoot\nolnhtadjtbl\rsidroot12262646 
\fet0\sectd \linex0\endnhere\titlepg\sectdefaultcl\sftnbj {\header \pard\plain \s17\ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\tqc\tx4320\tqr\tx8640\pvpara\phmrg\posxc\posy0\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 
\fs20\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 {\field{\*\fldinst {\cs18\insrsid4071825 PAGE  }}{\fldrslt {\cs18\lang1024\langfe1024\noproof\insrsid4071825 4}}}{\cs18\insrsid4071825 
\par }\pard \s17\ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\tqc\tx4320\tqr\tx8640\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 {\insrsid4071825 
\par }}{\*\pnseclvl1\pnucrm\pnstart1\pnindent720\pnhang {\pntxta .}}{\*\pnseclvl2\pnucltr\pnstart1\pnindent720\pnhang {\pntxta .}}{\*\pnseclvl3\pndec\pnstart1\pnindent720\pnhang {\pntxta .}}{\*\pnseclvl4\pnlcltr\pnstart1\pnindent720\pnhang {\pntxta )}}
{\*\pnseclvl5\pndec\pnstart1\pnindent720\pnhang {\pntxtb (}{\pntxta )}}{\*\pnseclvl6\pnlcltr\pnstart1\pnindent720\pnhang {\pntxtb (}{\pntxta )}}{\*\pnseclvl7\pnlcrm\pnstart1\pnindent720\pnhang {\pntxtb (}{\pntxta )}}{\*\pnseclvl8
\pnlcltr\pnstart1\pnindent720\pnhang {\pntxtb (}{\pntxta )}}{\*\pnseclvl9\pnlcrm\pnstart1\pnindent720\pnhang {\pntxtb (}{\pntxta )}}\pard\plain \qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid12262646 
\fs20\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 {\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid4160366\charrsid12262646 IN THE HIGH COURT OF FIJI
\par AT SUVA
\par CRIMINAL JURISDICTION
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid12262646 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid4160366\charrsid12262646 
\par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid12262646 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12262646\charrsid12262646 CRIMINAL CASE NO: HAC0}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid4160366\charrsid12262646 028 OF 2003S
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid12262646 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid4160366\charrsid12262646 
\par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid12262646 {\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid4160366\charrsid12262646 STATE
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid12262646 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid4160366\charrsid12262646 
\par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid12262646 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid4160366\charrsid12262646 v.
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid12262646 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid4160366\charrsid12262646 
\par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid12262646 {\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid4160366\charrsid12262646 RATU JOPE SENILOLI
\par RATU RAKUITA VAKALALABURE
\par RATU VILIAME VOLAVOLA
\par ISIRELI LEWENIQILA
\par PECELI RINAKAMA
\par VILIAME SAVU
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid12262646 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid4160366\charrsid12262646 
\par Hearing:}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12262646  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid4160366\charrsid12262646 6th July 2004
\par Ruling:}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12262646  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid4160366\charrsid12262646 6th July 2004
\par 
\par Counsel:}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12262646\charrsid12262646  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid4160366\charrsid12262646 Mr. M. Tedeschi, Mr. G. Allan, Ms A. Prasad for State;
\par Mr. M. Raza for 1st Accused;
\par 2nd Accused in Person;
\par Mr. S. Naqase for 3rd & 6th Accused;
\par Mr. D. Sharma for 4th Accused;
\par Mr. A. Seru for 5th Accused.
\par 
\par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid12262646 {\b\caps\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid4160366\charrsid12262646 Ruling on the editing
\par of police statements of the accused
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid12262646 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid4160366\charrsid12262646 
\par There is dispute about the admissibility of certain parts of the statements made by each accused by the police.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12262646  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid4160366\charrsid12262646 
The prosecution intends to edit portions of the statements which refer to matters which are not relevant to this trial.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12262646  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid4160366\charrsid12262646 
The defence ask either that other portions be deleted or, in the case of the 6th accused excluded altogether on the ground of lack of probative value.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12262646  }{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid4160366\charrsid12262646 In the absence of any agreement on the matter, I propose to rule on all matters in dispute.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12262646  }{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid4160366\charrsid12262646 There is no allegation of police misconduct, or breach of Constitutional rights.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12262646  }{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid4160366\charrsid12262646 The only issue is fairness.
\par 
\par }{\b\fs24\ul\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid4160366\charrsid12262646 The 1st Accused}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid4160366\charrsid12262646 
\par 
\par The 1st accused made two statements, on the 25th of October 2000 and on the 15th of December 2000.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12262646  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid4160366\charrsid12262646 
The allegation in the first statement is in respect of a number of incidents which are not the subject of this trial, including the rioting in Suva, roadblocks, and the taking over of police stations and army camps.}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12262646  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid4160366\charrsid12262646 These allegations have no relevance to this case and are highly prejudicial. It 
was held by the Court of Criminal Appeal (England) in }{\b\fs24\ul\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid4160366\charrsid12262646 Knight and Thompson}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid4160366\charrsid12262646 
 (1946) Cr. App. R. 52 that where portions of a statement relating to other offences are read to the jury, the effect is prejudicial and the ensuring convictions must be quashed.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12262646  }{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid4160366\charrsid12262646 Although Mr. Raza asks to retain these allegations despite their prejudicial effect, I am not persuaded that they have any probative value at all in respect of the trial issues.}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12262646  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid4160366\charrsid12262646 The allegations must be deleted.
\par 
\par Mr. Raza objects to Q.25 which is a question about SVT meetings organised to weaken the government and to remove the then Prime Minister.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12262646  }{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid4160366\charrsid12262646 Since the answer is a denial as to knowledge of the substance of the meetings, this may assist the accused.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12262646  }{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid4160366\charrsid12262646 In any event, statements which are partly self-serving are admissible.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12262646  }{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid4160366\charrsid12262646 However the questioning from Q.68 to Q.88 are in relation to irrelevant matters in relation to the charge against the 1st accused and must be deleted.
\par 
\par In the second interview, the allegation is innocuous and may remain.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12262646  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid4160366\charrsid12262646 However, Mr. Raza asks
 for Questions 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25 and 26 to be excluded.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12262646  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid4160366\charrsid12262646 
They all refer to an SVT meeting held to discuss a petition presented to the Council of Chiefs to remove the Chaudhary Government and establish a Fijian-led government.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12262646  }{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid4160366\charrsid12262646 These questions are highly relevant to the case, in particular in the light of the cross-examination conducted by Mr. Raza.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12262646  }{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid4160366\charrsid12262646 However, I see no relevance in questions and answers which give no information other than what is in the mind of the interviewer.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12262646  }
{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid4160366\charrsid12262646 Questions 21, 22, 23 and 24 will be excluded for lack of probative value.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12262646  }{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid4160366\charrsid12262646 The remaining questions and answers are relevant and admissible.
\par 
\par }{\b\fs24\ul\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid4160366\charrsid12262646 The 2nd Accused}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid4160366\charrsid12262646 
\par 
\par I will rule on the 2nd accused\rquote s interview after I have heard from counsel.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12262646  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid4160366\charrsid12262646 
Mr. Singh is in the Court of Appeal this afternoon and will be back in this trial tomorrow.
\par 
\par }{\b\fs24\ul\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid4160366\charrsid12262646 The 3rd Accused}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid4160366\charrsid12262646 
\par 
\par The allegations are in respect of the actual takeover of Parliament, the issuing of decrees, the taking of hostages, and the inciting of ill-will amongst the races of Fiji.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12262646  }{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid4160366\charrsid12262646 These are not trial issues and must be deleted. Further, questions 33 to 37 have no relevance to the charge and must be deleted.
\par 
\par }{\b\fs24\ul\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid4160366\charrsid12262646 The 4th Accused}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid4160366\charrsid12262646 
\par 
\par There is no doubt that the allegations are prejudicial and irrelevant and must be deleted.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12262646  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid4160366\charrsid12262646 Mr. Sharma said he considered that the
y were relevant to show the court the proximity between the offence charged and treason in order to prove that this prosecution is an abuse of the process.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12262646  }{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid4160366\charrsid12262646 However editing the interviews for the assessors, does not preclude the defence from raising this issue before me in due course.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12262646  }{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid4160366\charrsid12262646 Mr. Sharma objects also to questions 11 to 44 of the interview conducted on the 25th of April 2001.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12262646  }{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid4160366\charrsid12262646 These are questions about meetings held by a group of people in the SVT party, which allegedly planned to overthrow the government.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12262646 
 }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid4160366\charrsid12262646 
In the course of the questions, the 4th accused admitted being a member of the SVT Party, admitted attending a meeting of the 11th of April 2000, admitted seeing one Jim Speight at the meeting, and said it was a normal meeting discussing a presentatio
n of a tabua to the Great Council of Chiefs.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12262646  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid4160366\charrsid12262646 
He admitted attending a further meeting on the 9th of May 2000 which led to the setting up of a task force to organise a march in Suva with the Nationalist Party.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12262646  }{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid4160366\charrsid12262646 He denied all knowledge of a \'93coup briefing\'94 at the SVT Office on 18th May 2000 and all knowledge of the coup itself and attempts to remove Ratu Mara as President of Fiji.
\par 
\par I consider that these questions relate to offences with which the 4th accused has not been charged.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12262646  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid4160366\charrsid12262646 
The attendance of the SVT meeting appears, (on a reading of this interview) to have little to do with these charges.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12262646  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid4160366\charrsid12262646 
They are to be deleted.
\par 
\par Further, questions 62 to 74 have no relevance to this case and must be deleted.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12262646  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid4160366\charrsid12262646 
However Q.75, which Mr. Sharma objects to, is relevant and the answer is obviously relevant to the trial.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12262646  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid4160366\charrsid12262646 
Similarly with Q.76 and Q.77 they will remain.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12262646  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid4160366\charrsid12262646 I do not accept that the questions and answers amount to oppressive questioning.}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12262646  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid4160366\charrsid12262646 Mr. Sharma can of course cross-examine the police officer about the meaning and the scope of the questions asked.
\par 
\par }{\b\fs24\ul\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid4160366\charrsid12262646 5th Accused}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid4160366\charrsid12262646 
\par 
\par Mr. Seru agrees that the allegation and a large part of the interview are irrelevant and inadmissible, and submits that the entire interview be excluded on the ground of lack of probative value and unfairness.}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12262646  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid4160366\charrsid12262646 He further states that the 5th accused should have been interviewed again after the Information was amended.
\par 
\par Of course, it would have been highly irregular for the police to re-interview anyone after charges had been laid, and I doubt that any such statement could have been admitted without hearing submissions on admissibility and fairness.}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12262646  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid4160366\charrsid12262646 
Certainly in this case, the factual basis for both Informations being the same, there was no need to re-interview the accused after amendment.
\par 
\par It is not in dispute that all irrelevant material must be removed from the 5th accused\rquote s interview.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12262646  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid4160366\charrsid12262646 
That includes the allegations, and the part of the answer to Q.6 which commences \'93A delegation from the Bose Levu Vakaturaga\'85.\'94}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12262646  }{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid4160366\charrsid12262646 Q.8 and the answer are inadmissible on the ground of irrelevance, as are questions 14, 15 and 16.
\par 
\par I cannot agree that the remaining portions lack probative value. Indeed, in a very long answer to Q.5, the accused explains in detail the circumstances of the swearing-in ceremony which are highly relevant.}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12262646  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid4160366\charrsid12262646 I see no unfairness in allowing the remaining portions to go before the assessors.}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12262646  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid4160366\charrsid12262646 I rule accordingly.
\par 
\par }{\b\fs24\ul\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid4160366\charrsid12262646 6th Accused}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid4160366\charrsid12262646 
\par 
\par The allegations again are inadmissible and must be deleted.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12262646  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid4160366\charrsid12262646 
The 6th accused made admissions about being part of a group which planned a march and another group on the 18th of May 2000 when George Speight announced his plan to conduct a coup.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12262646  }{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid4160366\charrsid12262646 It was preceded by another \'93coup meeting\'94 on the 8th of May 2000, but the 6th accused denied being present at the earlier meeting.}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12262646  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid4160366\charrsid12262646 These questions and answers suggest the commission of another offence \'93of misprison of treason\'94 and they are inadmissible.}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12262646  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid4160366\charrsid12262646 The questions from Q.15 to 25 inclusive must be deleted.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12262646  }{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid4160366\charrsid12262646 Q.29 must also be deleted.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12262646  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid4160366\charrsid12262646 
I am not persuaded that any probative value in leading evidence of a misprison of treason to rebut a possible defence of compulsion outweighs the prejudicial effect of the leading of evidence which suggests the commission of another offence.
\par 
\par Questions about the Muanikau Accord are irrelevant and questions 61 to 76 inclusive must be deleted.
\par 
\par I rule accordingly.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12262646  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid4160366\charrsid12262646 
The prosecution must ensure that typed versions of the interviews are available for exhibiting together with the originals which will not be shown to the assessors.
\par 
\par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid12262646 {\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid4160366\charrsid12262646 Nazhat Shameem
\par }{\b\fs24\ul\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid4160366\charrsid12262646 JUDGE
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid12262646 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid4160366\charrsid12262646 
\par At Suva
\par 6th July 2004
\par }}