28 Apr 2017

Nauru protest trial still hinging on enforcement of subpoenas

9:28 am on 28 April 2017

The group of Nauruans facing trial over an anti-government protest intend taking their quest for the courts to enforce subpoenas to the Supreme Court.

This comes after the Magistrate's Court upheld the application from Justice Minister David Adeang, Secretary of Justice Graham Leung, Chief Secretary Bernard Grundler, and others, to set aside the subpoenas.

They had claimed immunity given by President Baron Waqa.

The group of 18, including 3 former members of parliament, one a former president of the country, are facing charges over a protest outside parliament nearly two years ago.

Nauru's Justice Minister David Adeang

David Adeang's application was upheld in the Magistrate's Court Photo: Supplied

They were protesting their year long suspension from parliament.

The protestors' trial was due to get underway last week but it has been tied up in preliminary matters to date.

They had sought to subpoena the key government officials because they believe these people have information that will show they cannot get a fair trial on Nauru.

They are seeking a temporary stay on the trial for this reason.