5 Nov 2009

Remengesau trial in Palau hears final arguments

5:59 pm on 5 November 2009

Closing arguments from both defence and the government have been heard in the trial of Palau's former President and current Senator Tommy Remengesau.

Mr Remengesau is charged with 19 counts of violating the code of ethics for failing to disclose assets during his term as President.

A local reporter, Cherrie-Anne Villahermosa, says testimony focussed on the property dealings of the former Persident and whether he had properly disclosed them.

"The defence was saying that the (former) President had no knowledge (of) the statement disclosure that was submitted in 2001 and the previous years when the alleged violations occurred, the president had no knowledge that it wasn't complete, that some of his staff failed to disclose some of his properties."

Justice Kathleen Salii is expected to announce her decision next week.