Fiji Trades Union Congress general secretary Felix Anthony’s trial was vacated by the Suva Magistrates Court because of “absent” witnesses yesterday.
State prosecutor Nimisha Shankar made an application for the hearing to be vacated on the ground that key prosecution witnesses were out of the country.
She said out of 17 witnesses, 13 were summoned and she wasn’t sure how many, if any, were present in court.
Defence lawyer Filimoni Vosarogo was in agreement with Ms Shankar’s application but wanted to know what dates were available to accommodate Mr Anthony’s busy schedule.
Mr Vosarogo said Mr Anthony would be abroad for most of November and December and that a hearing date was most likely to be set for next year.
He asked if Mr Anthony’s presence could be excused if he was not in the country when the matter is next called.
Ms Shankar said there was no objection from the prosecution and Magistrate Indula Ratnayake said it could be done.
Mr Ratnayake granted Ms Shankar’s application and set the matter down for mention to set another hearing date in the matter on December 5.
Mr Anthony is charged with one count of malicious act contrary to Section 15 of the Public Order Act 1969.
He is alleged to have knowingly spread by word of mouth, to The Fiji Times journalist Felix Chaudhary, false news relating to the expiry of Water Authority of Fiji’s workers’ contracts, false news which tended to create or foster public anxiety, on April 26, 2019.
