5 witnesses and CCTV footage for prosecution, 2 witnesses for accuse  

Minister of Health, John Stil Tari Qwetu pled not guilty to 5 criminal charges and one Leadership Code related charge this morning.

Following his plea, the Prosecutor announced he will be calling 5 witnesses and submitting CCTV footage of the crime scene as evidence when court resumes for trial on August 28 and 29.

This morning before Senior Magistrate Florence Sam, the Ambae Constituency Member for Parliament pled not guilty to 3 charges of intentional assault, a join charge of idle and disorderly which he share with another suspect, and one Leadership Code related charge.

According to Senior Magistrate San, as a leader, Minister Tari Qwetu is being charge for failing to comply with the law.

Minister Tari Qwetu’s legal counsel, James Tari informed the court that apart from the Minister and the other respondent of the case, he will be calling two other witnesses.

According to Mr Tari, one of the witnesses is a lady whom he claims is the reason behind the fight.

The Minister’s lawyer says his second witness is a Vanuatu Mobile Force Officer who witness Minister Tari being transported to the hospital after being assaulted.

The case is related to an incident which happened on July last year where the Minister was allegedly said to be returning from a night club and got involved in a fight while under the influence of alcohol.

Meanwhile Minister Tari Qwetu is currently on bail under conditions set out by the Magistrate.