Two Tongan cops have been respectively jailed for 10 and eight years this morning at the Nuku’alofa Supreme Court for killing New Zealand police officer Kali Fungavaka in 2012.
Inspector Kelepi Hala’ufia was sentenced to 10 years imprisonment while Constable Salesi Maile was sentenced for eight years.
Last month civilian Semisi Kalisitiane Manu was convicted by jurors of grievous bodily harm in relation to Fungavaka's death. In his ruling, Justice Cato handed down a suspended sentence of 18 months to Manu.
Justice Cato also found Constable Fatai Faletau guilty of assault, after acquitting him of manslaughter and the alternative charge of grievous bodily harm last month. He will be sentenced on July 29.
The judge acquitted Constables Tevita Vakalahi and Manu Tu'ivai on charges of manslaughter and grievous bodily harm
Kali Fungavaka died almost two years ago after suffering severe head injuries while in police custody. Six people, including five police officers, were accused of carrying out the attack.
Fungavaka was a Counties Manukau constable and has five young children. He was in Tonga in August 2012 for a family funeral.
It was after the funeral when he was arrested for a minor disorder incident. He was taken to the Tongan police station in the capital Nuku'alofa where it's alleged he was beaten to death.
