Fourteen accused persons, many of whom were teenagers, were produced in the Suva Magistrates Court on Thursday. They are charged for breaching the nationwide curfew and social gathering orders.

Magistrate Liyanage Wickramasekara and Magistrate Joseph Daurewa presided over the cases.

Magistrate Wickramasekara ordered those who appeared before him to each pay $200 bail or risk being remanded in custody until their next Court date.

Magistrate Daurewa, on the other hand, released accused persons on $500 bail bond, and their sureties were also bonded $500.

Both Magistrates imposed Court curfew orders from 4pm to 9am, 6pm to 7am and 7pm to 6am respectively.

Suki smokers

Two 18-year-old boys, namely Laisiasa Ledua and Ratu Lavisai Seroma, said they were smoking suki (tobacco) beside their home at Namadai Settlement in Namadi Heights when they were arrested.

They were charged with breaching the curfew and social gathering orders.

Similarly, 26-year-old Droivalu Yalimaiqamea of Wailea settlement, was also arrested around 9:40pm while he was on his way to buy suki.

Magistrate Wickramasekara asked him what he was doing outdoors during curfew hours, he said he thought the curfew would start at 10pm.

His case was adjourned to June 18 for mention.

Coconut sellers

Three boys, aged 19 and 18 years old, said they were returning from selling green coconuts when they realised it was during curfew hours, and so they slept at an abandoned house in Wailea Settlement, Vatuwaqa.

Viliame Seru, Josua Vulivuli and Naitevote Naivaluvou said they were sleeping inside the house at around 9:30pm when they were called out by Police and arrested.

Seru said he lived in Tavua, Vulivuli lives in Valelevu and Naivaluvou said he lived at the Korovou Barracks.

They were released on $200 cash bail and their case was adjourned to June 19 for mention.

Chased by family

A 44-year-old man, charged with breach of curfew, said he was chased by his family and had gone to his friend, who worked as a security guard, to sleep.

The accused, Timoci Serukalou, said he sometimes slept at his friend’s workplace because his friend understood the hardship he went through.

He was arrested around 9:20pm from Auckland Street in Vatuwaqa.

Edited by Ivamere Nataro

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