Two tentative hearing dates have been set in the sedition case against Fiji Times Lim­ited and four other accused. The four are Fiji Times Publisher/Gen­eral Manager Hank Arts, Editor-in-chief Fred Wesley, Editor of the Nai Lalakai Anare Ravula and article writer to the Nai Lalakai Josaia Waqabaca.

The first proposed tentative hear­ing date is from November 27 to De­cember 8 and the second proposed tentative hearing date is from De­cember 4 to December 15.

Judge Justice Thushara Rajasin­ghe has asked defence counsels and the state counsel to confirm which date will be suitable for them to pro­ceed for a hearing.

Justice Rajasinghe also made a ruling that the state has to file the amended information with the charge and particulars and has further given state counsel Yogesh Prasad 14 days to file the same.

The issue had arisen when the state counsel Mr Prasad had filed the particulars of offence without the charge.

Justice Rajasinghe told Mr Prasad that there were no provisions that allowed the particulars of offence to be filed without the charge.

He further stated to Mr Prasad to advise Assistant Director of Public Prosecutions Lee Burney that when filing documents he was to follow the Criminal Procedure Act.

Arts, Wesley, and Fiji Times Lim­ited were represented by Faizal Haniff, Ravula was represented by Nancy Choo and Waqabaca was represented by Semi Valenitabua on instructions of Aman Ravindra-Singh.

The case has been adjourned to No­vember 8, for mention.

Edited by Karalaini Waqanidrola

Feedback: jessica.savike@fijisun.com.fj