Five men have appeared briefly in the Fasi-mo e-Afi Magistrate Court Monday last week charged in relation to the abduction of two Chinese men at the village of ʻAnanā on July 24.
The victims, who are father and son were invited to a meeting at a residence in ʻAnanā.
They were kidnapped during the meeting and remanded at a place out of Nuku’alofa. The family of the victims had been allegedly paid $400,000 to the kidnappers as ransom.
Police recovered two cheques which amount to T$325,000 but could not be able to find the balance which was in cash.
Chen Zhining of Haveluloto, Rui Shong of Pātangata, Defeng Mo from ʻAnanā, Mana Lātū of Pātangata and Sione Lātū Ngahe of Puke are each charged with conspiring to rob the victims on July 24 and conspiring to kidnap a person on the same date.
Magistrate Similoni Tuʻakalau ordered that all men will reappear in court on November 18.
Armed robbery is one of serious offences in Tonga which is punishable for 20 years’ imprisonment.
