Wednesday, July 24, 2013

Bail Denied for Asylum Seekers Involved in the Nauru RPC Riot

Earlier on today Wednesday 24, July 2013, the District Court of Nauru has proceed on with the laying of charges on the 152 asylum seekers who have been arrested over the weekend for the rioting at the Regional Processing Centre on Friday 19, July 2013.

Photographic image copied from Nauru Politics
The charges being laid against the 152 asylum seekers so far are riot and unlawful assembly. Additional charges including arson on public buildings. The numbers of asylum seekers appearing before the Resident Magistrate of the District Court His Worship Peter Law are grouped up from 10 to 12 people. 
Photographic image taken by Mr. Clint Deidenang
The asylum seekers are being represented by court appointed lawyers. Each group was aided by an interpreter. Magistrate Peter Law first explained to the defendants that the appearances will be done in an open court whereby members of the public and the media are permitted to attend. 
Photographic image taken by Mr. Robert Delaney 

Mr Law then read the two charges of unlawful assembly and riot, explaining that all those appearing in court “assembled together in such a manner as to cause people fear, and so assembled to disturb the peace.” His Worship further said that the charges of unlawful assembly and riot are in contravention of sections 61 and 63 respectively of the Criminal Code of Nauru. 











Photographic image taken by Mr. Clint Deidenang
At the conclusion of the proceedings Magistrate Law issued an order that police briefs are to be served by 21, August 2013. Magistrate Law continued a non-publication order that the identities of all defendants be suppressed by both name and electronic images or any other means that could lead to their identification outside the precincts of the court. 
The riot on Friday 19, July began with a protest that escalated to fires and violence that ended in the burning and destruction of 80 per cent of the Centre’s infrastructure. Damages to the Centre are estimated at $60-million.                    

2 comments:

Unknown said...

Just thinking what will happen if the Peaceful protest march was organised and escorted by the police and security firms.

Unknown said...

As far as i know the riot started off as a peaceful protest march which turned into violence.