2 Mar 2004

Auckland-based Tongan democracy activist remains detained in Tonga

4:09 pm on 2 March 2004

Auckland-based Tongan democracy activist Alan Taione remains detained in Tonga on charges of distributing an unlicensed newspaper after a court fixture clashed with a royal funeral.

Taione was to have appeared in court last Wednesday after being arrested the previous week, however the court date clashed with the funeral of the King's second son Noble Maatu.

Taione questioned the authorities consistency in arresting him while allowing what he said was the sale of other unlicensed publications in a government bookshop.

He's due to reappear in court tomorrow.