The Suva magistrate's Court has set free five Fiji democracy activists after charges against them were withdrawn.
Businesswoman Laisa Digitaki and four others were charged with illegal assembly after taking part in a pro-democracy demonstration outside the venue of a meeting of the Great Council of Chiefs soon after the military takeover.
It was alleged that they did not have a permit to assemble and breached the Public Order Act.
When the case was called in court yesterday, a lawyer from the Director of Public Prosecutions Office, Seni Puamau, sought permission to withdraw the charges on the grounds of insufficient evidence.
Magistrate Josaia Waqaivolavola set the five free.
