22 May 2008

Samoa students and teacher in court on charges over last month's fighting in Apia

9:43 am on 22 May 2008

Fifty students and a teacher of Don Bosco College have appeared in court in Samoa facing charges of unlawful damage, fighting, causing violence, throwing stones and other objects and disturbing the peace.

The students did not enter any pleas.

They will re appear 24 June when police are expected to finalise the charges.

The Talamua online news service reports that the students and teacher have been remanded on bail while two other students including the Head Boy are still in custody.

They face charges of attempted murder and party to a crime.

Their next court appearance is June 19th

The charges stem from a student riot in Apia last month.

A petrol bomb was hurled from a moving vehicle resulting in life threatening burn injuries to a Leififi Intermediate student.

The victim Francella Tuala is undergoing treatment at Middlemore hospital in Auckland.