February 23
Filokalafi 'Akau'ola, Taimi 'o Tonga, IMPRISONED, LEGAL ACTION
'Akau'ola, deputy editor of the weekly Taimi 'o Tonga, which is published in Auckland, New Zealand, and distributed in Tonga, was arrested after the newspaper published letters to the editor on Feb. 21 that were deemed insulting to Tongan Minister of Police Clive Edwards. 'Akau'ola was charged with inciting violence against an officer of the government under Section 57 of the Tongan Criminal Code. 'Akau'ola was released on bail after two days in custody. On April 17, he was convicted and given an 18-month suspended prison sentence.

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