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their charges withdrawn by the Nauru Director of Public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withdrawn and they were each discharged.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.