State witnesses related in assassination trial
Defence lawyers Mehboob Raza and Iqbal Khan while cross examining state witnesses Sevuloni Keidreli, Saula Lasagavibau and Luke Toa have established that the witnesses are Kuli's cousins and they were initially informed by Kuli of the alleged plot to kill the Army Commander.
The state witnesses also admitted that they were informed of and taken to meetings by Kuli where the alleged plot was discussed and that Kuli was their only form of contact with the accused persons.
Today, witness Luke Toa told the court that he was informed by Kuli that he had attended meetings with the accused persons before Kuli approached him to uncover the alleged plot.
Toa said he never had direct contact with the accused persons and acted on Kuli's instructions.
Toa, along with the other two previous witnesses said they were in the group to locate the missing weapons but all admitted that they did not ask questions on the whereabouts of these weapons.
Meanwhile, earlier today Toa revealed in court that the alleged assassination plot also involved taking over the key military installations apart from the QEB in Nabua, and the plan included the removal of Indo Fijians and bringing in Australians to run the businesses in Fiji.
Luke Toa who is a territorial forces soldier and is also related to state witness, Lance Corporal Peniasi Kuli, described the first meeting in Sabeto Nadi where the alleged plot was unveiled to them.
Toa stated that at the Sabeto meeting they were told that the plan involved taking over of the 3FIR, the FTG in Nasinu, the Navy Base in Walu Bay and the RFMF engineers.
Toa told the court that accused person Barbados Mills said in the meeting that the Commander was to be killed and a new President was to be appointed.
According to Toa, another accused Sivaniolo Naulago had said that according to the plan, Australians were to be brought into the country to run the business here and that the Indo Fijians will be removed.
Toa then described the meeting at the FTA Hall where he said Mills told them that they would need Rocket Propelled Grenades, Mortars, M16 and AK47 to carry out the alleged plan.
The case continues.
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