The charges are related to eight deaths in the Shoreline Office fire during dramatic riots on Nov. 16, 2006, the Nuku’alofa, newspaper Matangi Tonga reported.
Pulu, the number 2 people’s representative on the main island of Tongatapu, pleaded not guilty to a total of nine charges in a preliminary hearing earlier this month.
Pulu is being tried by a jury and appeared in court with two other co-accused, Sosefo ‘Amone and Siosiua ‘Ulutaufonua.
‘Amone and ‘Ulutaufonua are charged with nine counts each of murder and arson endangering life, also related also to the deaths of eight people in the Shoreline Office fire.
Crown Prosecutor Solicitor General Linda Folaumoetu’i, told the court that Nov. 16, 2006 was a day of infamy, shame and grief for Tonga, because eight people lost their lives due to the arson attack on the Shoreline building.
The crown submitted that ‘Amone and ‘Ulutaufonua set the fire to the Shoreline building and Pulu assisted them.
Tongan authorities and New Zealand and Australian police found the remains of the eight people inside the gutted building.
The crown prosecutor told the court that on Nov. 16, 2006, leaders of the pro democracy movement, including Pulu, held a meeting, which attracted many supporters.
The supporters were dissatisfied and angry and the crown believed this resulted in many of them damaging specific buildings in Nuku’alofa, including Shoreline.
Earlier that year, Whangarei-based Northpower negotiated to purchase Shoreline Power, Tonga’s electricity generator, but the deal fell through after the riots.
The crown will call 32 witnesses, including includes eye witnesses of the event, and present video footage and photographs, the newspaper reported.
The jury trial is expected to run for two to three weeks.
