DPP withdraws charges against asylum seekers involved in 2012 riot
Ten asylum seekers on trial for riot
and wilful damage have had their charges withdrawn by the Nauru
Director of Public Prosecutions at the Nauru court this week (26
Aug).
The Director of Public Prosecutions
Wilisoni Kurisaqila filed an application on Monday (26 Aug) under
Section 46 of the Criminal Procedures Act 1972, for a'nolle
prosequi'(to withdraw charges) against five of the defendants
subject to the trial relating to the riot in September 2012 at the
Nauru Regional Processing Centre (RPC).
The defendants faced charges of 'riot'
and wilful damage'.
When the application was put to the
court, Resident Magistrate Peter Law explained to the defendants,
through a translator, that it is not a finding of innocence; it
only sought to discontinue the proceedings.
It was further explained that the
Court has very few options in the circumstances and the application
was granted.
The defendants have each been
discharged.
Two of the defendants who had been
refused bail were granted bail on strict conditions in respect to
the charges they face concerning the second alleged riot in July
2013.
The Director of Public Prosecutions Mr
Wilisoni Kurisaqila made a further application in respect to an
additional five defendants who were facing the same charges but had
not been part of the trial.
Charges in respect to those asylum
seeker defendants were also withdrawn and they were each
discharged.
The incidences arising from the
September 2012 and July 2013 riots caused damage to the RPC worth
$24,000 and $60-million respectively.