Assistant Director of Public Prosecutions Ashishna Prasad has suggested in the High court alternative ways in which the case against Ratu Inoke Takiveikata and 9 others for allegedly conspiring to murder the Interim Prime Minister and others can proceed to trial in the absence of certain evidence which was destroyed by Military Operatives.

While making submission on the application from the accused to stay the proceedings, Prasad stressed to Judge Justice Andrew Bruce that several matters raised could be dealt with during cross examination in the trial and another option is to give the assessors clear and strong directions on the destruction of the evidence which would allow the case to proceed.

However, Justice Bruce stated that his main concern is whether without the documents in question, there could be a fair trial for the accused as defence cannot cross examine the witnesses on the matter.

Prasad says that Military Operatives Anasa Waqa and Isireli Narawa compiled a power point presentation from information received from their source, Peniasi Kuli, showing details of meetings held where the alleged conspiracy took place to assassinate the interim Prime Minister and others.

On concerns raised by defence counsels that the Military had investigated the matter and did not get police involved earlier, Prasad stressed that it was a Military Operation and it would have been illogical for a Police Officer to try and infiltrate the group.
She also stressed that various intelligence reports did not name people as those were confidential documents and names are not used during such operations.

The DPP lawyer also says that issues of pre-trial harassment by the accused cannot be used to stay the case as no reports have been lodged with police on the matter by any of the accused.

Prasad highlighted that the accused who were members of the disbanded CRW Unit were called to the Army Barracks on a number of occasions and went voluntarily and this had nothing to do with the charges they currently face but due to their high level of training and skills as members of the elite Unit, being convicted of mutiny earlier.

She also says that Ballu Khan's allegation that he was taken to the Military camp are unfounded as he also went voluntarily and allegations that he was threatened by Colonel Pita Driti is countered in Driti's affidavit where he denies such a thing.

Prasad also told the court that on concerns on the lack of supervision for the undercover Military operatives, that there are no guidelines available within the RFMF on Supervision of these operatives as only police guidelines are available.

The case continues this afternoon.