Suva, Fiji, July 22: The treason trial of two men allegedly involved in a coup that toppled Fiji's democratically elected government was delayed after a defence lawyer walked off the case today. The high court trial was adjourned to allow former Fiji lawmaker, Timoci Silotolu, apply for a state-funded lawyer after his attorney, Kitione Vuataki, withdrew his services without explanation.

Silotolu told the court that a previous application by him for legal aid had been rejected by Fiji's legal aid commission.

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Silotolu is facing treason charges along with Josefa Nata, a former journalist, who is represented by two lawyers provided by the commission. Both men have pleaded innocent and face a maximum sentence of life imprisonment if convicted.

Prosecutor Gerard Mccoy supported Silotolu's application. Mccoy told the judge he planned to call about 45 witnesses, but could cut that by at least half if prosecution and defence lawyers agreed to certain non-controversial facts in the case.

``I am in the bizarre position of having to prove that they (the two accused men) are ethnic Fijians because they won't admit it,'' he said.

The judge adjourned the trial until Wednesday afternoon but getting a new lawyer for Silotolu could take up to six weeks.
Bureau Report