Nauru court extends bail for asylum seekerscharged over riot incident
4 February, 2013
Nauru court extends bail for asylum
seekerscharged over riot incident
Fourteen of fifteen asylum seekers facing charges of rioting and
causing damage to property during last September's disturbance at
the Processing Centre appeared in court in Nauru this morning
(Monday 4th Feb) but their hearing has been further adjourned to
February 18th.
The lawyer representing all of the defendants, Mr Pres Nimes
Ekwona had to fly out to Fiji earlier today to attend to urgent
family business.
The Iranian men who are being held at the Regional Processing
Centre on Nauru were charged by the Nauru Police Force in October
for rioting and damage to property at the Centre on 30 September
2012, which caused damage estimated at $24,000.
A spokesman for the asylum seekers told the court that the one
person not present from the group was in Australia receiving
medical treatment.
All fourteen defendants stood up to identify themselves as their
names were called for mention and they all appeared calm and
composed throughout the brief appearance.
Magistrate Peter Law explained to them through an interpreter
that each would be expected to indicate whether they intended to
plead guilty or not guilty at their next appearance later this
month.
The Magistrate also continued his order that the identities of
all fifteen defendants be suppressed by both name, visual image or
any other means that could lead to their identification outside the
precincts of the court.