20 Aug 2002

Tongan students make further court appearances on wilful damage charges

6:06 pm on 20 August 2002

Tongan police say some of the 224 students charged with wilful damage may face additional charges when they reappear in court next month.

All but 20 of the students, all of whom have been held in custody in police cells around Tongatapu for the past six days, have today been released on bail.

The students, from Tupou College, allegedly caused tens of thousands of dollars of damage in an early morning raid on rival Tonga College last week.

Police have indicated they are likely to bring further charges against some of the students.