Former national 7s player Amenoni Nasilasila, who is facing a charge of rape, appeared at the High Court in Suva yesterday.

Nasilasila, 27, appeared before Justice Daniel Goundar after his case was transferred from the High Court in Lautoka for trial proper in the High Court in Suva.

He is alleged to have raped a 24-year-old woman from Olosara, Sigatoka, on December 22, 2018.

On March 27, Nasilasila pleaded not guilty to the charge.

State Prosecutor from the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions Swastika Sharma told the court that the officer in carriage of the case met the defence counsel to sort out pre-trial issues.

However, the proposed agreed facts had not been filed yet.

She also told the court that the State would call four witnesses and they were not relying on the caution interview statement.

Justice Goundar then questioned on the location of the complainant and said that the complainant in her list stated that she resided in the United States.

Ms Sharma sought time from the court to confirm on the status of the complainant’s residence.

Defence lawyer Una Baleilevuka told the court that they would call three witnesses.

The State was given 14 days to advise on the status of the complainant’s residence in Fiji.

The matter was adjourned to May 31 for pre-trial conference.

Edited by Epineri Vula

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