Charges dropped against two men in Laqere checkpoint case

Two men charged over the alleged attempted murder of a female police officer at the Laqere police roadblock have been discharged by the High Court in Suva after the State discontinued the case against them.

Domoniko Tabau and Jone Rakatia appeared before Justice Dane Tuiqereqere today after State prosecutor Bhavna Kantharia informed the court that a nolle prosequi had been filed, formally ending the prosecution.

Justice Tuiqereqere discharged the pair but reminded them that the State retained the legal right to lay the same charges again in the future.

"They are free to go, but they can still be charged again over the same matter," Justice Tuiqereqere told the accused.

Tabau and Rakatia had been jointly charged with attempted murder, serious assault and possession of housebreaking implements in relation to an incident at the Laqere police checkpoint on April 26.

Police allege the pair were travelling in a vehicle that drove towards a police roadblock, leading to the attempted murder charge involving a female police officer.