THE trial of Malaita Provincial Assembly Member for West Baegu-Fataleka Ward and former Malaita Premier Daniel Suidani and his political adviser Celsius Talifilu will proceed on Thursday.
Initially, the trial was scheduled to take place this week in the Honiara Magistrate’s Court but was delayed due to their lawyer’s conflicting High Court trial.
However, it was announced yesterday that the High Court trial would no longer proceed, and the presiding magistrate decided to move the trial to Thursday instead of setting new trial dates.
The magistrate stated that she would not allow the trial to be vacated, but could accommodate a short delay to ensure that counsels are ready.
The prosecution has been instructed to have its witnesses ready for the trial tomorrow.
Four key witnesses for the prosecution are expected to take the stand and give evidence during the trial.
Suidani and Talifilu are charged in connection with unlawful assemblies and a protest that took place in Auki, the Malaita Provincial Capital in 2021.
At that time, Suidani was Premier of Malaita Province, and Mr Talifilu was his political advisor.
The protest was allegedly organised by the Malaita for Democracy (M4D) movement in response to the former Democratic Coalition Government for Advancement (DCGA) decision to sever diplomatic ties with Taiwan in favour of Beijing.
Lily Ramo of Justlaw Attorneys represents the two defendants, while Special Prosecutor Mary-Anne Zurenuoc from the Office of the Director of the Public Prosecutions (ODPP) appears for the Crown.
By ASSUMPTA BUCHANAN
Solomon Star, Honiara
